Chronic viral infections in myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS)

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND MAIN TEXT: Myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) is a complex and controversial clinical condition without having  established causative factors. Increasing numbers of cases during past decade  have created awareness among patients as well as healthcare professionals.  Chronic viral infection as a cause of ME/CFS has long been debated. However, lack  of large studies involving well-designed patient groups and validated  experimental set ups have hindered our knowledge about this disease. Moreover,  recent developments regarding molecular mechanism of pathogenesis of various  infectious agents cast doubts over validity of several of the past studies.  CONCLUSIONS: This review aims to compile all the studies done so far to  investigate various viral agents that could be associated with ME/CFS.  Furthermore, we suggest strategies to better design future studies on the role of  viral infections in ME/CFS.