A majority of CFS patients describe an infectious onset of their disease.
In some cases, infections may therefore act as triggering factors of CFS. In addition, immune system dysfunctions make CFS patients much more susceptible to opportunistic infections that will contribute to the severity of the illness. Pathogens that are often found in CFS patients include herpesviruses like HHV-6, HHV-7, and EBV; Mycoplasma; and Chlamydia species. Some of these pathogens can be detected in the blood, but infections may also be localized in specific tissues. In a recent study, persistent Parvovirus B19 infections were detected in the gastric and intestinal mucosa of CFS patients.
We offer detection of the following pathogens:
- Human herpesvirus 6 (includes detection of chromosomal integration)
- Human herpesvirus 7
- Epstein-Barr virus
- Cytomegalovirus
- Parvovirus B19
- Brucella spp.
- Mycoplasma pneumoniae
- Chlamydia pneumoniae
- Chlamydia trachomatis
- Enterovirus
- West Nile virus
- Coxsackie virus
PCR consists in the selective amplification of a given DNA sequence from a pathogen’s genome. PCR is usually more sensitive than serological detection; also, PCR indicates a current infection: pathogen is detected only if it is still present in the tested tissue, whereas antibodies can be detected even if the pathogen itself has actually disappeared.
Sample requirement:
PCR can be performed from blood, sputum, or from a biopsy. Conditions for sample collection and shipment are as follows:
- For blood samples: 2 ml blood in EDTA tube. Stable for 24 hours. For longer periods freeze and ship at -20°C/-80°C.
- For biopsies: put biopsy in a sterile, dry tube (no buffer or fixative of any kind). Freeze at -20°C/-80°C within 6 hours.
- For sputum: sample in a sterile, dry tube (no buffer or fixative of any kind). Stable for 20 hours. For longer periods freeze at -20°C/-80°C.
PCRs for West Nile virus (WENV), Coxsackie virus (COXV) and Enterovirus (ENTV) require special collection tubes and procedures. Please contact us for more information.