Journal of IiME Volume 6 Issue 1 (June 2012) 1987 US clinicians and researchers who became world leaders in ME/CFS (including Drs Paul Cheney, Daniel Peterson and Anthony Komaroff) noted: “These studies demonstrated that a majority of patients with (ME)CFS have low numbers of NKH1+T3- lymphocytes, a population that represents the great majority of NK cells in normal individuals. (ME)CFS patients had normal numbers of NKH1+T3+ lymphocytes, a population that represents a relatively small fraction of NK cells in normal individuals. When tested for cytotoxicity against a variety of different target cells, patients with (ME)CFS consistently demonstrated low levels of killing. In humans, studies suggest a correlation between low NK activity and serious viral infections in immunocompromised hosts. We have carried out extensive phenotypic and functional characterisation of NK cells in patients with this syndrome (and have) found that the majority had abnormally low numbers of NKH1+ cells. Further characterisation of such cellular subset abnormalities and the resulting alteration in quantitative and qualitative NK cytotoxic function will hopefully improve our understanding of the immunopathogenesis of this illness” (M Caliguri et al. The Journal of Immunology 1987:139:10: 33063313). 1987 At the CFS Society, USA, conference held on 4th-7th November 1987, Dr Alfred Johnson said that 97% of ME/CFS patients have allergies and that allergic patients have high helper (T4) cells and low suppressor (T8) cells, causing over-reactivity. Dr Paul Cheney confirmed that the T4:T8 ratio is elevated in two-thirds of cases, and that this is considered a more reliable marker of the illness than other markers, saying that there are “impressive abnormalities” in mitogen stimulus status (an immune function test) and that symptoms are caused by a hyper-immune response. 1988 In the “News Focus” section of the Nursing Times, Pamela Holmes reported the view that (ME) PVFS is due “to a variety of aberrant immune system responses involving monokines, lymphokines and Invest in ME (Charity Nr. 1114035) abnormal interferon production and breakdown (and) a poorly functioning immune system” (Nursing Times 1988 January 13:84:2:19). 1988 “This article summarises recent studies of the syndrome and emphasises our assessment of one of its more common manifestations, allergy. Many patients report inhalant, food or drug allergies. Allergies are a common feature of patients with the chronic fatigue syndrome. Among the features of this syndrome is a high prevalence of allergy, an allergy that appears to be substantial, both by history and by skin testing” (Stephen E Straus, Janet Dale et al. J Allergy Clin Immunol 1988:81:791-795). 1988 “A variety of immunological abnormalities were detected, including abnormal T4/T8 lymphocyte subset ratios, dysfunction of natural killer cells, abnormal proliferation of B cells and decreased IgG concentrations” (PO Behan, WMH Behan. Crit Rev Neurobiol 1988: 4:2:157-178). 1988 “We report patients (who) had a specific deficiency of IgG1 subclass. The finding of IgG1 subclass deficiency in these patients is novel, as lone deficiency of this subclass is rare and affected patients appear to have common variable hypogammaglobulinaemia. Further scrutiny of cases (of ME/CFS) may reveal a range of subtle immunological abnormalities” (Robert Read, Gavin Spickett et al. Lancet, January 30 1988:241-242). 1988 The ME Association’s magazine “Perspectives” carried an article on “Viruses and ME” by consultant microbiologist Dr Betty Dowsett, who wrote: “Many viruses (including enteroviruses) can enter and alter the function of the immune cells specially designed to destroy them. It is important to recognise that these immune abnormalities are secondary to the virus infection….The mopping up of free viruses in the bloodstream can be counterproductive if excess antibody is produced. The insoluble ‘immune complexes’ that result can be www.investinme.org Page 33 of 108
34 Publizr Home