PHYLOGENETIC ANALYSIS OF SHORT ENTEROVIRAL SEQUENCES FROM PATIENTS WITH CHRONIC FATIGUE SYNDROME

This study used phylogenetic analysis based on a region of the 5' non- translated region (5'NTR) of a variety of enteroviral sequences to com pare sequences associated with chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) and thos e from enteroviruses causing acute infections. Direct sequencing of PC R products was used to obtain the nucleic acid sequences from CFS pati ents. The inferred phylogenetic tree identified three groupings, one c orrelating with the diagnosis of CFS. The analysis identified a close relationship between the chronic fatigue enteroviral sequences, and sh owed that 19/20 were distinct from previously described enteroviruses. These results suggest there is persistence of enterovirus infection i n some CFS patients and indicate the presence of distinct novel entero virus sequences.