Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), formerly referred to as myalgic encephalomyelitis, is a debilitating condition that affects approximately three out of every 1,000 people. Characterized by persistent fatigue, impaired mental capabilities, and joint or muscle pain, CFS symptoms mimic other illness such as Lyme disease, Mycoplasma infections, autoimmune disorders, and infectious mononucleosis. Immunologic manifestations of CFS include low cytotoxicity of natural killer cells and increased concentrations of cytokines. Of the 1-4 million chronic fatigue syndrome patients in America, one-fourth are unemployed or on disability due to the crippling effects of CFS. While CFS affects both men and women, the prevalence of CFS is four-times higher in women. Additionally, CFS is more common in adults and adolescents than in children. Because of the wide array of possible symptoms, treatment plans are tailored toward the individual’s needs and the severity of symptoms (1).

Diagnosis of CFS continues to be a problem due its remitting-relapsing cycles along with its inconspicuous nature. In fact, less than 20% of Americans with CFS have been diagnosed. A new study by researchers suggests a correlation between CFS and a gammaretrovirus known as xenotropic murine leukemia virus-related virus (XMRV). XMRV is a gammaretrovirus that infects humans and has been linked to prostate cancer and fibromyalgia. Gammaretroviruses are viruses containing RNA genetic material and have the propensity to insert genetic sequences into the host’s DNA. Though further research is being conducted, a preliminary study detected XMRV in 67% of CFS patients compared to 3.7% of healthy patients (2).

References:

1. http://www.cdc.gov/cfs/

2. http://www.wpinstitute.org/xmrv/xmrv_qa.html

Clongen Labs currently offer a test for the presence of XMRV by Real Time PCR.

Sample requirements:

A minimum of 1 ml of whole blood collected in an EDTA tube (purple top)

Turnaround Time:

3-5 business days

Cost:

$375 per sample

How to order?

Please download the Clinical Laboratory Test Request Form. Fill out the top portion, payment information at the bottom of the page and select XMRV from the list of tests under Viruses (the list is alphabetical)