BACKGROUND: A unique subset of patients with chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) and IgM serum antibodies to cytomegalovirus (HCMV) non-structural gene products p52 and CM2 (UL 44 and UL 57) has been described. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Fifty-eight CFS patients and 68 non-CFS matched controls were studied. Serum antibodies to EBV viral capsid antigen (VCA) IgM and EBV Early Antigen, diffuse (EA, D) as well HVCMV(V), IgM and IgG; VP (sucrose, density purified V); p52 and CM2 IgM serum antibodies were assayed. RESULTS: Mean age of CFS patients was 44 years (75% women). Control patients were 9 years older (73% women). Serum EBV VCA IgM positive antibody titers were identified in 33 CFS patients (Group A subset EBV VCA IgM 62.3+/-8.3, neg. <20), but were not present in other CFS patients, (Group B subset EBV VCA IgM 6.8+/-0.7) controls (p<0.0001). EBV VCA IgM titers remained positive in CFS patients from Group A for 24-42 months. CONCLUSION: Serum antibody to EBV VCA IgM may be a specific diagnostic test for a second subset of CFS patients.
BACKGROUND: A unique subset of patients with chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) and IgM serum antibodies to cytomegalovirus (HCMV) non-structural gene products p52 and CM2 (UL 44 and UL 57) has been described. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Fifty-eight CFS patients and 68 non-CFS matched controls were studied. Serum antibodies to EBV viral capsid antigen (VCA) IgM and EBV Early Antigen, diffuse (EA, D) as well HVCMV(V), IgM and IgG; VP (sucrose, density purified V); p52 and CM2 IgM serum antibodies were assayed. RESULTS: Mean age of CFS patients was 44 years (75% women). Control patients were 9 years older (73% women). Serum EBV VCA IgM positive antibody titers were identified in 33 CFS patients (Group A subset EBV VCA IgM 62.3+/-8.3, neg. <20), but were not present in other CFS patients, (Group B subset EBV VCA IgM 6.8+/-0.7) controls (p<0.0001). EBV VCA IgM titers remained positive in CFS patients from Group A for 24-42 months. CONCLUSION: Serum antibody to EBV VCA IgM may be a specific diagnostic test for a second subset of CFS patients.
Authors: Leonard A Jason; Karina Corradi; Susan Torres-Harding; Renee R Taylor; Caroline King Journal: Neuropsychol Rev Date: 2005-03 Impact factor: 7.444
Authors: A Martin Lerner; Maria E Ariza; Marshall Williams; Leonard Jason; Safedin Beqaj; James T Fitzgerald; Stanley Lemeshow; Ronald Glaser Journal: PLoS One Date: 2012-11-14 Impact factor: 3.240