IgM serum antibodies to Epstein-Barr virus are uniquely present in a subset of patients with the chronic fatigue syndrome.
BACKGROUND
A unique subset of patients with chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) and IgM serum antibodies to cytomegalovirus (HCMV) non-structural gene products p52 and CM2 (UL 44 and UL 57) has been described.


METHODS
Fifty-eight CFS patients and 68 non-CFS matched controls were studied. Serum antibodies to EBV viral capsid antigen (VCA) IgM and EBV Early Antigen, diffuse (EA, D) as well HVCMV(V), IgM and IgG; VP (sucrose, density purified V); p52 and CM2 IgM serum antibodies were assayed.


RESULTS
Mean age of CFS patients was 44 years (75% women). Control patients were 9 years older (73% women). Serum EBV VCA IgM positive antibody titers were identified in 33 CFS patients (Group A subset EBV VCA IgM 62.3+/-8.3, neg. <20), but were not present in other CFS patients, (Group B subset EBV VCA IgM 6.8+/-0.7) controls (p<0.0001). EBV VCA IgM titers remained positive in CFS patients from Group A for 24-42 months.


CONCLUSIONS
Serum antibody to EBV VCA IgM may be a specific diagnostic test for a second subset of CFS patients.
Lerner
A Martin
AM
Department of Medicine, William Beaumont Hospital and Wayne State University School of Medicine, Royal Oak, Michigan, USA. lerner@cdimed.com
Beqaj
Safedin H
SH
Deeter
Robert G
RG
Fitzgerald
James T
JT
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000914:Antibodies, Viral / Q000097:blood*; D000956:Antigens, Viral / Q000276:immunology; D036022:Capsid Proteins / Q000276:immunology; D003587:Cytomegalovirus / Q000276:immunology; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D020031:Epstein-Barr Virus Infections / Q000150:complications / Q000276:immunology*; D015673:Fatigue Syndrome, Chronic / Q000276:immunology* / Q000821:virology; D005260:Female; D004854:Herpesvirus 4, Human / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D007075:Immunoglobulin M / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged
D000914:Antibodies, Viral; D000956:Antigens, Viral; D036022:Capsid Proteins; C041788:Epstein-Barr viral capsid antigen; C033305:Epstein-Barr virus early antigen; D007075:Immunoglobulin M