Welcome to the CDC Chronic Fatigue Syndrome site.
Skip directly to the search box, site navigation, or content.
News & Highlights
- New Publication Linking Sexual Abuse and CFS -- NEW!
- New Publication: 1994 CFS Case Definition Criteria Validated -- NEW!
CFS Research Program, External Peer Review (PDF – 46KB)- Current CDC Research
- CME Course
- Chronic Fatigue Registry
- Treatment Guidelines
- Brochures
- Glossary
- more...
- Mission/Goals
- Public Service Announcements
- Brochures
- Photo Exhibit
CFS Awareness
Campaign
Call to Action - Act Now
| Paid for by | |
| HHS | CDC |
 |
 |
Evaluation of autoantibodies to common and neuronal cell antigens in chronic fatigue syndrome.
Vernon SD, Reeves WCEvaluation of autoantibodies to common and neuronal cell antigens in chronic fatigue syndrome
Journal of Autoimmune Diseases 2005:2:5.
Summary
Dysfunction of the immune system may be important in the pathophysiology of CFS. Several rheumatic and autoimmune disorders are clinically similar to CFS, and reports have shown an increased frequency of autoantibodies in persons with CFS. However, reports of increased autoantibodies may be suspect since the studies used patients from referral clinics rather than from the general population suffering from CFS, and they have enrolled controls of convenience. We collaborated with investigators at the Scripps Research Institute who tested specimens collected in CDC population-based studies of CFS. The Scripps scientists used ELISA, immunoblot, and commercial assays to test serum samples for common autoantibodies and antibodies to neuron-specific antigens. The study found no evidence for a higher rate of autoantibodies in persons with CFS compared with rigorously selected and matched controls from the general population.
Abstract
People with chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) suffer from multiple symptoms including fatigue, impaired memory and concentration, unrefreshing sleep and musculoskeletal pain. The exact causes of CFS are not known, but the symptom complex resembles that of several diseases that affect the immune system and autoantibodies may provide clues to the various etiologies of CFS. We used ELISA, immunoblot and commercially available assays to test serum from subjects enrolled in a physician-based surveillance study conducted in Atlanta, Georgia and a population based study in Wichita, Kansas for a number of common autoantibodies and antibodies to neuron specific antigens. Subsets of those with CFS had higher rates of antibodies to microtubule-associated protein 2 (MAP2) (p=0.03) and ssDNA (p=0.04). There was no evidence of higher rates for several common nuclear and cellular antigens in people with CFS. Autoantibodies to specific host cell antigens may be a useful approach for identifying subsets of people with CFS, identify biomarkers, and provide clues to CFS etiologies.
Page last modified on May 8, 2006
Additional Navigation for the CDC Website
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1600 Clifton Rd, Atlanta, GA 30333, USA
Tel: 404-639-3311 / Public Inquiries: (404) 639-3534 / (800) 311-3435