LYMPHOCYTE SUBSETS, APOPTOSIS, AND CYTOKINES IN PATIENTS WITH CHRONICFATIGUE SYNDROME

Whether immunologic abnormalities correlate with fatigue severity and functional impairment in chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) was investigat ed, Blood mononuclear cells were immunophenotyped and circulating and ex vivo-produced cytokines were measured in 76 CES patients and 69 hea lthy matched controls, Expression of CD11b on CD8 cells was significan tly decreased in CFS patients, However, the previously reported increa sed expression of CD38 and HLA-DR was not confirmed. There was no obvi ous difference in apoptosis in leukocyte cultures, circulating cytokin es, and ex vivo production of interleukin (IL)-1 alpha and IL-1 recept or antagonist. Endotoxin-stimulated ex vivo production of tumor necros is factor-alpha and IL-1 beta was significantly lower in CFS. The immu nologic test results did not correlate with fatigue severity or psycho logic well-being as measured by Checklist Individual Strength, Beck De pression Inventory, and Sickness Impact Profile, Thus, these immunolog ic tests cannot be used as diagnostic tools in individual CFS patients .