Kristine Morch , Kurt Hanevik , Guri Rortveit , Knut-Arne Wensaas , Geir Egil Eide , Trygve Hausken and Nina Langeland BMC Infectious Diseases 2009, 9:206doi:10.1186/1471-2334-9-206 Published: 15 December 2009
Entire countries have been indoctrinated into the psychological beliefs regarding these illnesses and it will take quite an effort to change this around. By increasing international awareness amongst patients, relevant parties and the general public, ultimately more funds will become available for biomedical research. Patients are depending on more research trials, clinical trials, on more official publications and on research and advocacy to unite globally in order to improve their quality of life.
Expression of 88 human genes was confirmed as being significantly different between CFS/ME patients and normal controls. Gene expression in endogenous depression patients was similar to that in the normal controls. CFS/ME patients can be grouped into Genomic subtypes which have different clinical phenotypes. There was evidence of subtype-specific relationships for Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) and enterovirus, the two most common triggers for CFS/ME.
Whether to get vaccinated against the latest bug is a to difficult issue for many ME/CFS patients. Some patients report their illness was triggered by vaccination. Others have experienced symptom flares after vaccinations. Others are leery of injecting any viral element into their already fluey state. A Canadian study did not suggest that hepatitis B vaccinations were a cause of concern for chronic fatigue syndrome patients. That study was, however, criticized on methodological grounds. The CFIDS Association of America is applying for a grant to determine if some chronic fatigue syndrome patients develop an autoimmune response to prior vaccinations. Most ME/CFS physicians do not appear to support vaccinations unless a patient is at high risk of developing a severe illness from the flu (eg has heart disease, bronchitis, asthma). Some physicians believe many ME/CFS patients immune system's are upregulated enough that they are at low risk for catching the flu. Others note evidence that vaccinations may not be as effective in ME/CFS. It's clear that some patients, perhaps up to 60% according to Dr. Shepherd, experienced symptom flares after vaccinations. Other patients can tolerate them with little effect. Most of the evidence on one side or the other is anecdotal. If you do choose to get a vaccination getting it in the form of a shot ( which does not contain live viruses) may be preferable to getting it in the form of a mist (which does contain live attenuated viruses) To vaccinate or not vaccinate is an individual decision best made in conference with a knowledgeable chronic fatigue syndrome practitioner. Dig Deeper! for best single resource on vaccinations check out AFME's 2006 report "To Jab or Not to Jab".
An exploration of the relationship between XMRV and ME/CFS has just begun in Sweden, with funding provided jointly by ME Research UK and the Irish ME Trust http://www.imet.ie/
"There was a lot of excitement at the meeting," Clinic cancer biologist Robert Silverman said of the gathering that drew 75 of the top scientists from 14 institutions who are studying XMRV.
By Margaret Williams, 21st November 2009. For decades it has been known and shown that viruses play a role in ME/CFS; some illustrations from the literature are provided below (all of which are relevant and significant).
Judy Mikovits remembers that “eureka” moment when she realized that she and her team of researchers at the Whittemore-Peterson Institute in Reno had discovered a new retrovirus that could lead to a possible treatment, even a vaccine, to combat Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.
By Fred Friedberg, president of the International Association for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
By Kenneth J. Friedman, Ph.D.
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