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C F S - Information International
Infections and CFS/ FM |
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C F S - Information International
Infections and CFS/ FM |
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Infections and CFSThe idea of CFS being of infectious (and thus possibly contagious) nature, stems from a number of historic epidemics of CFS-like nature. One famous epidemic being the Akureyri epidemic [named after the city of Akureyri in Iceland], where a CFS-like epidemic occurred in the 19th century, possibly caused by a low virulence strain of Polio virus. No definite proof for a CFS-nature of this - or any other CFS-like epidemic - has however been presented, since there was - and still is - no defined infectious agent identified. There has been no CFS marker identified to this date, which may link CFS directly with these epidemics. Only the symptoms of the victims were at the time described as being the same as with current CFS. The Canadian Nightingale Foundation has published a book with review of 63 outbreaks of CFS-like illness, Outbreaks, ME/CFS, 2001.Belgian CFS researchers conclude that despite no particular agent seems to be the direct cause CFS, infections do play a role in the etiology, De Becker et al., 2001. Dr. Jason documented a seasonal onset of CFS symptoms, Jason et al., 2001, and also a 2002-paper concludes that infection is one of several triggers of CFS, De Becker et al., 2002. The CAA published a readable 2002-review of the data on infections in CFS, news, John & Friedman, 2002.
The respected Dr. Nicolson who has published many papers on Mycoplasma, has also found bacteria in CFS pointing at multiple infections, Nicolson et al., 2002 (rtf).
No Particular Agent in SightNo specific agent(s) have ever been found to cause CFS and/or FM. Not that researchers have given up hope to find agents responsible for initiating or inducing CFS. It is well-known that infections, especially viral involving the liver, eg. Hepatitis C, Vassilopous & Calabrese, 2003, as well as those involving the brain (encephalitis) or the meninges (meningitis) are followed by fatigue, press, Hotopf. A 2001-study found no markers able to predict which patients would encounter long lasting fatigue following mononucleosis infection, White et al., 2001, White et al., 2001 (full article). Also two 2002-papers reporting 10-year follow-up on the 1989 Q fever epidemic conclude, that there was no sign of heart infection, Ayres et al., 2002, and that the fatigue some patients still have is either due to antigen persistence or of psychological nature, Wildman et al., 2002.Lyme and Hepatitis CLyme Disease (Borreliosis) in the chronic stage belongs to the list of diseases, which share many symptoms with CFS and which has to be ruled out for a diagnosis of CFS to be made according to the CDC criteria. In 2000, a study was published on the occurrence of CFS in patients with Lyme disease, Treib et al., 2000, and it has been suggested that CFS and other chronic conditions should be treated with antibiotics, news, Lyme, 1999. In 1999, the absence of Borrelia immune complexes in CFS was published, Schutzer & Natelson, 1999, and in 2002, Dr. Donta for the CAA wrote an interesting article on Lyme Disease as a model of CFS, Donta, 2002.Hep C virus in itself has an effect on brain which mimics symptoms of CFS and other so-called 'minimal brain diseases', Forton et al., 2001..
The respected Dr. De Meirleir warns against blood donation by CFS patients, mail, De Meileir, 1999.
Infections and FMA Danish 2001-study concluded that hepatitis B and C markers were not found in FM-patients, Wittrup et al., 2001.E. Coli BacteriophagesThe toxic release of lipids from E. coli bacteria infected by bacteriophages (= virus-like organisms infecting bacteria), has been suggested to cause the symptoms of FM, news, bacteriophages, 2002.Pets with CFS-like DiseaseTwo reports have been published by an American pathologist on high numbers of pets with CFS-like disease owned by CFS patients, Glass, 2000 and Glass, 2000.
CFS in horses has been described by an Italian veterinarian, Tarello, 2000, and in dogs and cats, Tarello, 2000 and Tarello, 2001. These studies are by one single vet only, and he claims some of the animals 'fulfill the CDC-criteria', which is an obvious absurdity ! His studies on the immunological defects in dogs and cats have moderated his expression, he now says "CFS-like" disease, Tarello, 2003.
Markers of Acute InfectionThe most reliable test for ongoing acute viral infection in humans (as of June 2002) is the presence of activated key enzymes of the antiviral pathway. In a comprehensive Belgian study, CFS patients were found to have no such markers (as compared to patients with acute infections), Gow et al., 2001. |
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