A new study out of Germany could provide support for U.S. research linking XMRV to chronic fatigue syndrome and cast doubt on European studies failing to find it.
The German study didn't look into chronic fatigue syndrome, and it didn't involve the blood or prostate tissue, as other studies have. Instead, researchers tested respiratory-tract secretions from healthy controls plus 3 different categories of people with respiratory-tract infections (RTIs): those with no underlying conditions, those with underlying chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and those on immunosuppressive medications because of a transplant.
They found XMRV in:
- 3.2% of controls
- 2.3% of those with RTIs & no underlying conditions
- 2.3% of those with RTIs & COPD
- 9.9% of those on immunosuppressive drugs
With the highest prevalence rate being in people with compromised immune systems, it raises the possibility that XMRV isn't a cause of disease, but is what's called an "opportunistic infection" -- one that takes advantage of a weak immune system to set up shop. An opportunistic infection may make an existing illness worse, but it doesn't cause the illness.
It's interesting that the rates in those without immunosuppression were similar to those of healthy controls in the U.S. study. Also of note: German researchers did not use the same methods as U.S. researchers to detect XMRV; and XMRV's presence in respiratory secretions suggests that it could be transmitted through the air. That's not certain, however -- it's still an area that needs a lot more research.
Also, the U.S. research, done by the Whittemore Peterson Institute, found XMRV in about 68% of people with chronic fatigue syndrome -- a much higher rate than found in the immunosuppressed patients. Again, it'll take more research before why know why the rates are so much higher, if the findings were accurate.
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What I know is that I feel better when I am on antibiotics. Whether abx are fighting an opportunistic infection,helping my immune system recover or directly fighting a causative agent, I don’t know but I know abx help.
The WPI found 67% with their initial testing methodology and since they they tested the same samples with other tests and hit over 95%.
Since then they’ve tested over 500 CCC samples are are hitting 99%.
It’s looking more and more like XMRV is the cause all the time.
This study has absolutely nothing to do with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. Why did you say it “cast(s) doubt on European studies failing to find it”?
And why can this lab find free virus in bronchiolar lavages when no one else can find free virus anywhere?
Another XMRV paper that makes no sense.
The headline of this article says that XMRV is “linked to Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.” The article itself says “The German study didn’t look into chronic fatigue syndrome…”
I don’t see the connection between this study and CFS. Isn’t the study about an entirely different medical problem?
No, there is no connection between this study and CFS. However, I don’t think the author is claiming this. The author stated that this study casts doubt on the European studies that failed to find XMRV. She didn’t mean it casts doubt on the studies not finding XMRV in CFS patients, but rather XMRV in general.
In this study, XMRV was found in Healthy controls. Those European studies failed to find ANY XMRV whatsoever, even in healthy controls. This casts doubt on whether or not those studies were thorough enough or used the right testing to find XMRV in the first place.
Thanks.. Any research at this point on XMRV is welcomed. It takes time for the medical establishment to come to terms with NEW RESEARCH that in the long run makes them look like real idiots..some that is.. We that have suffered will never be totally validated because of the human ego that is envoled in every step medical science.. Thank God there are those doctors and researcher’s that keep an open mind. The science will win out but it takes time.. I know, we want it today.. That’s what I want however the XMRV is a ray of hope! Even if it’s a passenger along with the Herpes Virus’s, it’s a great step for all of us.. Hugs, Nila
I suspect what this means is that people with compromised immune systems are susceptable to XMRV and consequently CFS.
A note on the “opportunistic infection” … phenotype diversity among retroviral cellular defense systems within the human population is great. some people are completely immune to HIV though they have been exposed to it. many species carry latent retroviruses that do not incur disease. their cellular defense system keeps them at bay. even in very stressful, compromised states, the virus might spread to a degree, but is still kept in check. often times very slight changes in these defense molecules such as trim5Alpha can change the hosts immunity and susceptibility to a hose of new viruses. for instance… trim5a in humans leads to SIV immunity, and HIV susceptibility, additionally trim5a in other simians confers the referse immunity… immunity to HIV, but not SIV.
Since the CFS population was not tested in this study, there is literally no question about it raised. Other studies have showed a possible genetic link (family members, but not spouses get sick with it) and this would suggest a variance in the phenotyping of some cellular host defense pathways. This could be RNase L pathway … shown to be abnormal in many of these patient groups… or it could be something entirely different.
Statistically however, you can’t draw any correlation because there was zero data collected about CFS patients.
Let me give you an example using influenza. The incredibly lethal forms of influenza are so dangerous because, they have binding proteins that allow them to travel deeper into the respiratory tract. Additionally there are genetic differences in the human population that make some people’s cells produce variant chemicals of host defenses… the result is that some people are more susceptible to some strains and viruses than others, but stronger against others. Even when some of these individuals are weakened from poor nutrition or other factors, their body still has additional molecules that are effective against the virus that other individuals don’t have.
There are many different phenotypes for retroviral cellular defense systems. Many of them have been studies for things like pERV, MLV, HIV, SIV…. without knowing what phenotype issues are coming into play… (we already know trim5alpha, which normally restricts MLV, does not restrict XMRV) we cannot say something as dramatic as “this brings up the issue of causality”…. if a portion of the healthy population carries the virus, we would expect the more sick individuals to carry it at a higher rate. this does not tell us anything about the susceptibility of CFS patients to the virus or how their bodies can handle the viral load.
I have CFS/M.E I used to be able to cycle 40 kilometers everyday from the ages of 12-16. When I was 17-21 I was able to cycle 80 kilometers everyday, now I can’t even do 10 minutes. If I do 20 minutes it takes a month in bed to recover.
I am turning 23 soon and I feel like I am going no where as I live in New Zealand and treatment over here isn’t as good as Germany:(
I miss mountain biking and hiking also
((((((((((((((
Treatment in the USA is far better than Germany or any other country and isnt it worth it for a plane ticket to come here and get better? And to see the beautiful USA as a tourist! I feel so blessed to live in this country!
It has been found yet for so much, but you can use it only if The release of money is available.
I really can`t see a link between heading and your article.
Maybe there is a spelling mistake or whatever.
Anyways, I really like your site and I am a steady reader
They contaminated their samples with VP62 and the paper should be retracted.
Probs for Paula Carnes for showing me this.