Clues to cause of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome found in immune system – study
A study in the UK has found that an extremely active immune system can trigger vulnerable chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS).
CFS - also called ME (myeloid encephalomyelitis) - is a long-term disease that is characterized by extreme fatigue.
The underlying biology of this condition remains a mystery, although many patients report their illness after viral illness such as infection.
The scientists of King's College London have found that the immune system avoiding an infection can help explain how the condition is contracted.
Lead researcher Dr. Ellis Russell said: "For the first time, we have shown that people prone to developing a CFS-like disease have a highly active immune system before and after the challenge for the immune system.
Our findings show that those who have exaggerated immune response for triggers can be more at risk of developing CFS. "
Researchers at the University's Psychotherapy Institute, Psychology and Neuroscience studied the answers of 55 patients who were given the Interferon-alpha drug as a treatment for hepatitis C.
For the first time, we have shown that people who are prone to develop a CFS-like illness have an overactive immune system
The drug activates the immune system in the same way as a powerful infection.
18 patients who had been developing symptoms like permanent disease and CFS had a strong immune response to the drug.
Prior to treatment, these patients had very active immune systems, showing that they could be "primary" to give more feedback, scientists said.
Once the disease like CFS evolved, there was no difference between the immune system of these patients and the people recovered in the form of normal.
Senior researcher Professor Carmen Periante said that the results were "the first step in identifying dangerous people and catching the disease in their early stages".
Dr Neha Issar-Brown of the Medical Research Council (MRC) funded the research, saying: "CFS / ME is a serious condition and its under-life biology is considered to be less.
"Interestingly, this work highlights the potential mechanism of immune insufficiency inherent in early stages of chronic fatigue syndrome.
"MRC encourages more research to better address this situation in order to address the area of unmetrical clinical need."
KeyWords
Post a Comment