Prevalence of EBV, HHV6, HCMV, HAdV, SARS-CoV-2, and Autoantibodies to Type I Interferon in Sputum from Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Patients
Year: 2025
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: An exhausted antiviral immune response is observed in myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) and long COVID. In this study, potential mechanisms behind this exhaustion were investigated. First, the viral load of EBV, HAdV, human cytomegalovirus (HCMV), human herpesvirus 6 (HHV6), and SARS-CoV-2 was determined in sputum samples (n=29) derived from ME/CFS patients (n=13), healthy controls (n=10), elderly healthy controls (n=4), and immunosuppressed controls (n=2). Secondly, autoAbs to type I interferon (IFN-I) in sputum were analyzed to possibly explain impaired viral immunity. We found that ME/CFS patients released EBV at a significantly higher level compared to controls (p=0.0256). HHV6 was present in ~50% of all participants at the same level. HAdV was detected in two cases with immunosuppression and severe ME/CFS, respectively. HCMV and SARS-CoV-2 were found only in immunosuppressed controls. Notably, anti-IFN-I autoAbs in ME/CFS and controls did not differ, except in severe ME/CFS with high levels. We conclude that ME/CFS patients, compared to controls, have a significantly higher load of EBV. IFN-I autoAbs cannot explain IFN-I dysfunction, with the possible exception of severe cases showing elevated autoAbs, also reported in severe SARS-CoV-2. We forward that additional mechanisms, such as viral evasion of IFN-I effect, may be present in ME/CFS, which demands further studies.
Source: Viruses
DOI: 10.3390/v17030422
Authors: Ulf Hannestad, Annika Allard, Kent Nilsson, Anders Rosén
Language: English
Subfield: Psychiatry and Mental health
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $3,137
OpenAlex ID: W4408445547