Do certain microbiological pathogens cause or have a role in the aetiology of the disease entity known as chronic fatigue syndrome?

Abstract

Introduction: Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) is a complex disorder with a common set of core symptoms and with many secondary symptoms. Underlying chronic infection has been advocated as a contributing factor to CFS, yet its role and the extent of its impact are unconfirmed. Method: Blood samples were obtained from eighty-eight CFS patients and twenty nine controls. Evidence of infection by certain tick-borne and respiratory pathogens was tested for through the use of nested PCR, western blot, ELISA and IFA. Results: Of CFS participants, 19% had evidence of exposure to 3 out of 4 pathogen species compared to 3% of controls (p = 0.04). For tick-borne (TB) pathogens, 56% of CFS participants had exposure to at least one, compared to 14% of controls (p < 0.001). Discussion: The high prevalence of exposure to multiple pathogens within the test group suggests a relationship between CFS and infective agents. As hypothesised in previous studies, the results of this study could contribute towards the argument that chronic infections, as a result of contributing to immune dysregulation, may lead to fatiguing symptoms. More specific forms of investigation using methods that directly measure pathogen levels should be undertaken.