Is a Retrovirus in Our DNA Responsible for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome & Multiple Sclerosis?
New research points to an ancient retrovirus as a possible partial cause of chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS or ME/CFS) and multiple sclerosis (MS).
This retrovirus is called HERV-K18, and it's part of the human genetic makeup. Researchers say it activates when you have a "smoldering infection" of the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) and HHV-6 (which both have long been believed to have an important connection to ME/CFS.)
The study uncovered that people whose ME/CFS or MS was triggered by infection mononucleosis (EBV) were at higher risk for HERV-K18 activation. That activation starts a chain reaction that leads to a strong T-cell response that's believed to deplete your immune system over time. Researchers say HHV-6 can activate HERV-K18 as well, as can immune activation.
It's not surprising that science is discovering links between ME/CFS and MS.
- More than 75% of MS patients meet the criteria for ME/CFS.
- Fatigue is often the most disabling symptom of ME.
- The conditions share characteristics including:
- Gray matter atrophy
- Impaired cerebral glucose metabolism
- Autonomic nervous system activity
- Altered patterns of brain activity
The study suggests that this retrovirus could be behind some of the shared symptoms of the two conditions. The lead researcher - Brigitte Huber, PhD of the Tufts University School of Medicine - now has a National Institutes of Health grant to study this further.
To me, this is an exciting study because it helps explain why a common virus, that has very little effect on most people can have such a severe impact on others. It's also seems like something that could lead to better diagnostic tests and treatments. I'm keeping my fingers crossed for this one.
Suggested Reading:
- Read more on this study
- Diagnosing Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
- Symptoms of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
- Symptoms of Multiple Sclerosis
Comments
Adrienne…this is very interesting and I had previously read material of the same thoughts. Since CFS and Fibro. run hand in hand (per se.) would it be feasible to extend this idea to those with fibromyalgia too?
It’s hard to say. While there does seem to be some immune-system involvement in fibromyalgia, it doesn’t cause the same constant immune-system activity as ME/CFS. On the other hand, the symptoms shared by ME/CFS and MS seem consistent with fibro as well. This could turn out either way.
I am glad to see new theories advanced. I worry that there will be “much-ado” about this and it will turn out like the “Enterovirus” (sp?) that was reported all in the national media as having been found in samples of stomach biopsies of people with CFS. However, after all of the initial attention and national publicity Nothing was ever followed up on it by anybody, not the National CFIDS Assosciation, not the CDC, not anybody. I just hope folks don’t get their hopes up (AGAIN) just have dashed.
The whole T-Cell line has caught my eye. Since 1990 I have had false positive HIV tests which were followed very closely by the military while I was in. Two years ago when I had a new one done it was negative for the first time in all these years. I felt great the six months before it was done… last year was different I had more problems and another positive test followed by a more extensive test that was negative…. makes me wonder
WOW!-this supports my Hypothesis of 2 yrs work & personal research from this former, lowly Sciences-major, namely me.
I have MS and CFS/FB. Worst symptom is unending FATIGUE. I am disabled, but en-abled with time to study.
My Mom suffered horribly with recurring HHV-6…every decade she went thru an “Outbreak”…huge open blisters down her entire digestive track. Foods only from a blender in 2 year periods…dreadful to watch as she struggled to cook family meals for us.
1960-1970’s medical minds, perplexed in Europe and the US, treated her with massive steroids, causing 100 lb. weight-gains, severe depression, …awful side effects.
Tho never diagnosed, prior to her death, I have come to believe that my Mom had MS and CFS/FM, with all the clssic, major symptoms. However, the medical community focused chiefly on her depression, prescribing box-loads of at-that-time popular & strong MAOIs and TCAs–(I called them her “-ILs”–ToferNn-IL, MerarIL, etc.), further debilitating her quality of life and her joy.
Most of my memories of her consist of great mother-daughter talks with myself and my little sister–lying in her favorite spot, her comfy Bed, where she was forced to spend 18 hours each & every day.
Of 3 daughters, I believe that I inherited her HHV-6 syndrome. (Not ever verified as my “team” is not as solid as I would like. Too passive, on which I intend to rectify–when I have an energy-spell! LOL! ) HHV-6, I intuitively know, plays a role. And my younger sister battles endless Shingles outbreaks–HV-3 (HV varicella zoster) which also causes chicken pox. Again, those blasted Herpes viruses plaguing my family for subsequent generations. And her child, at 19, was found to suffer another auto-immune disease, Crohn’s.
I am gratified by this study and I intend to contact lead researcher, Brigitte Huber, PhD of the Tufts University School of Medicine, offering myself for any studies.
Blessings to all of you, who live with or are support to, CFS/FM & MS folks! And to you too, Adrienne, for this marvelous About.com site & your work.
Doni Biggs
DBiggs0001@aol.com
I find this information fascinating because it proves what I believe happened to me. In 1974, I had Mono which caused splenic swelling and ITP. They thought I had acute leukemia because I all my lymphocytes were abnormal and I had no symptoms of Mono. The Mono spot test was done as an afterthought because I refused a bone marrow biopsy. When they found out it was Mono, they just observed me and in a few weeks my platelet count returned to normal and so did my white cells. But, six months later I started with the chronic fatigue and pain that was later diagnosed as Fibromyalgia. I’ve always believed it was caused by the Mono. I’m saving this article to prove to people that I’m not as insane as I sound when I claim that my Fibro was caused by my Mono. Maybe someday, research will prove me to be absolutely correct. Too bad, this knowledge doesn’t make it any easier to deal with the pain.
Hope this leads to a treatment!! After 14 years I’m ready to feel better! I used to run 4-5 miles a day but now don’t do much anything physical without profound fatigue[which exists to start with!]
The worse part I think is the lack of emotional validation, people don’t understand.