Protein Virus Linked to ME/CFS

We have yet another viral discovery linked to chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS or ME/CFS) - and it’s a protein in a particular strain of human herpesvirus-6 (HHV-6), a virus long suspected of playing a role in many cases of ME/CFS.

Japanese researcher Kazuhiro Kondo, MD, PhD, has spent the last 2 decades trying to identify a “latent protein” responsible for chronic nervous system disease and associated mood disorders, and now he believes he’s done it. (Latent means not currently active or not apparent.)

Dr. Kondo says his team found this strain of HHV-6 in people with ME/CFS, but not in healthy people. This virus travels from cell to cell, taking up residence in the brain and other tissues. Because it doesn’t release particles in the blood, standard blood tests don’t pick it up.

Adding support to Dr. Kondo’s claim is a Stanford University study showing that the antiviral drug Valcyte (valgancyclovir) (known to be effective against HHV-6) improved cognitive function in people with ME/CFS.

Obviously, it’s great to know this virus is there and that Valcyte helps fight it. Even better is that scientists already know what test would detect this HHV-6 protein (elevated IgG antibody titers, for those with medical knowledge).

However, the test isn’t available right now, and it could take years to get it validated and into commercial production. At least now there’s a test to work toward, though, and in the meantime we have stronger evidence that Valcyte may be an effective treatment.