Journal of IiME Volume 6 Issue 1 (June 2012) 1991 “Compared with controls, (ME)CFS patients showed an increase in CD38 and HLA-DR expression. These data point to a high probability (90%) of having active (ME)CFS if an individual has two or more of the CD8 cell subset alterations. Laboratory findings among (ME)CFS patients have shown low level autoantibodies, which may reflect an underlying autoimmune disorder. A persistent hyperimmune response of the remaining CD8 cells might lead to an outpouring of cellular products and cytokines (e.g. interferon, tumour necrosis factor, interleukin-1) that are characteristically associated with myalgia, fatigue, (and) neurological signs and symptoms associated with acute viral infections. Unless the immune system is brought back into balance, this chronic activation affects the individual further and might eventually lead to other clinical illnesses” (Alan L Landay et al. Lancet 1991:338:707-712). 1991 “Despite the broad divergence of opinion in the medical community, there is little doubt that classic allergy and atopy are inexplicably prevalent in (ME)CFS. In a recent study, a high proportion (50%) of patients were found to be reactive to a variety of inhalant or food allergens when inoculated epicutaneously in the classic manner. Certainly patients with (ME)CFS differ immunologically from their healthy counterparts and it is this observation, more than any other today, that is evoked in support of the organic hypothesis of disease causation” (Stephen E Straus. Reviews of Infectious Diseases 1991:13: Suppl 1: S2-S7). 1991 “Various abnormalities revealed by laboratory studies have been reported in adults with (ME)CFS. Those most consistently reported include depressed natural killer cell function and reduced numbers of natural killer cells; low levels of circulating immune complexes; low levels of several autoantibodies, particularly antinuclear and antithyroid antibodies; altered levels of immunoglobulins (and) abnormalities in number and function of lymphocytes” (Dedra Buchwald Invest in ME (Charity Nr. 1114035) and Anthony Komaroff et al; Reviews of Infectious Diseases 1991:13 (Suppl 1): S12- S28). 1991 “Our investigations have…produced evidence of …a decrease in CD8 suppressor cells with resulting elevation of the ratio of CD4 to CD8 cells” (Sandra Daugherty, Daniel Peterson et al. Reviews in Infectious Diseases 1991:13 (Suppl 1):S39-S44). 1991 “Preferably, patients with (ME)CFS who have such abnormalities might be considered a subset of the larger group: i.e. persons with (ME)CFS who have immune dysfunction” (Gary P Holmes. Reviews of Infectious Diseases 1991:13:1:S53S55). 1991 Referring to the seminal work of Dr Elaine DeFreitas, the Autumn (Fall) 1991 issue of The CFIDS Chronicle heralded “Convincing Evidence of Retroviral Infection and Immune Activation Found in CFIDS Patients”; other topics included a review of an article published in The Lancet (1991:338:8769:707-712) by Drs Jay Levy, Alan Landay, Carol Jessop and Evelyne Lennette from the University of California School of Medicine entitled “Immune Activation in CFS”. The review noted: “Drs Levy, Landay, Jessop and Lennette reported the results of their study which further explored findings that (ME)CFS may be due to one or more immune disorders that have resulted from exposure to an infectious agent….Flow cytometry studies, white blood cell counts, differential counts and viral serology studies were performed. Analysis of all clinical data enabled the research team to group the patients according to symptoms number and severity. Group A was comprised of 67 patients whose illness was so severe that they had less than 25% of their normal daily activity and also had multiple symptoms….The immunophenotypic data presented here indicate that many individuals with symptoms of (ME)CFS have CD8 cell immune activation….Most noteworthy is the statistical evidence that an individual with two or more of the CD8 cell subset alterations (increased CD11b-, CD38, and HLA-DR) www.investinme.org Page 40 of 108
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