Markers of viral infection in monozygotic twins discordant for chronic fatigue syndrome.
To estimate the prevalence of viruses associated with chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) and to control for genetic and environmental factors, we conducted a co-twin control study of 22 monozygotic twin pairs, of which one twin met criteria for CFS and the other twin was healthy. Levels of antibodies to human herpesvirus (HHV)-8, cytomegalovirus, herpes simplex virus 1 and 2, and hepatitis C virus were measured. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays for viral DNA were performed on peripheral blood mononuclear cell specimens to detect infection with HHV-6, HHV-7, HHV-8, cytomegalovirus, Epstein-Barr virus, herpes simplex virus, varicella zoster virus, JC virus, BK virus, and parvovirus B19. To detect lytic infection, plasma was tested by PCR for HHV-6, HHV-8, cytomegalovirus, and Epstein-Barr virus DNA, and saliva was examined for HHV-8 DNA. For all assays, results did not differ between the group of twins with CFS and the healthy twins.
Koelle
David M
DM
Department of Laboratory Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA. dedra@u.washington.edu
Barcy
Serge
S
Huang
Meei-Li
ML
Ashley
Rhoda L
RL
Corey
Lawrence
L
Zeh
Judy
J
Ashton
Suzanne
S
Buchwald
Dedra
D
D000328:Adult; D003587:Cytomegalovirus / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000502:physiology; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000032:analysis* / Q000097:blood; D004200:Diseases in Twins; D015673:Fatigue Syndrome, Chronic / Q000097:blood / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000821:virology*; D005260:Female; D016174:Hepacivirus / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000502:physiology; D018259:Herpesvirus 1, Human / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000502:physiology; D018258:Herpesvirus 2, Human / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000502:physiology; D019288:Herpesvirus 8, Human / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D018579:Patient Selection; D012463:Saliva / Q000821:virology; D018433:Twin Studies as Topic
D004279:DNA, Viral