Key result
Chronic viral infections have been frequently studied as potential triggers for ME/CFS, but evidence remains controversial and no single infectious agent has been conclusively confirmed as the cause.
The association between chronic viral infections and ME/CFS remains inconclusive, highlighting the need for larger, well-designed studies with standardized methodologies.
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No support for targeting unconfirmed viral triggers in ME/CFS; leaves open the need for standardized prospective studies.
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.
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Rasa et al. (2018) conducted a review in Myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS). Chronic viral infections vs. Healthy controls was evaluated. Chronic viral infections have been frequently studied as potential triggers for ME/CFS, but evidence remains controversial and no single infectious agent has been conclusively confirmed as the cause.
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