ENTEROVIRUSES AND THE CHRONIC FATIGUE SYNDROME

The possible role of enteroviral persistence in the etiology of the ch ronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) was investigated by serological testing, VP-1 antigen testing, and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis of stool specimens as well as by viral cultures of stool-both direct and after acid treatment. No differences between 76 patients with disablin g unexplained fatigue and 76 matched controls were found by serologica l or antigen testing. Furthermore, no enteroviruses were isolated from any stool culture. Enterovirus was detected by PCR in one stool speci men from a patient with CFS but was not detectable in a second sample obtained from the same patient 3 months later. All stool specimens fro m controls were PCR-negative. These results argue against the hypothes is that enteroviruses persist in patients with CFS and that their pers istence plays a role in the pathogenesis of this syndrome.