Possible Biomarker for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Diagnosis

Here's a new term for you: CD26. Remember it - you might be hearing a lot about it, and it could someday confirm your diagnosis of chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS or ME/CFS).

This certainly isn't the first time we've heard that something-or-other could turn out to be a biomarker for ME/CFS (a biomarker would mean objective evidence of disease and help a lot with diagnoses.) This time, though, the news about CD26 is especially promising.

Leading ME/CFS researcher Dr. Nancy Klimas presented evidence on CD26 as a biomarker at the June 2008 Symptosium on Viruses in Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. Dr. Klimas says poor natural-killer cell dysfunction is a big problem in ME/CFS, but the test is really expensive. In looking for a cheaper test, she found that CD26 is a good indicator of natural-killer cell function.

CD26 is a receptor on immune cells and in your blood. It reflects immune depletion and is significantly low in ME/CFS.

Not bad, eh? A possible diagnostic test that's inexpensive! That means insurance companies are less likely to balk when it comes time to pay for it.

Do you think this is the biomarker we've been waiting for? What would a reliable diagnostic test mean for you? Share your comments here or in About.com's Fibromyalgia & Chronic Fatigue Syndrome forum.

Suggested Reading:

• More ongoing research by Dr. Klimas & her team
• Symptoms of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome - The Monster List
• Drug Treatments for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome