Journal of IiME Volume 6 Issue 1 (June 2012) Professor Nancy Klimas et al considered the possibility of a genetic predisposition and by using HLA phenotyping they were able to provide substantial support for it; DQ1 and DR4 appear to be present in a large percentage of the (ME)CFS population and Klimas et al were investigating the possibility that HLA DR4 and DQ1 may be genetic markers for (ME)CFIDS. Whilst HLA DR4 and DQ1 represent less than 5% of the general population, they were present in 93% of the (ME)CFIDS population. Charles Lapp (Associate Professor of Family Medicine, Duke University) commented “This study establishes that two gene markers occur frequently in (ME)CFIDS but not in the general population”. Drs David Bell and Paul Cheney discussed the T4/T8 ratio in (ME)CFIDS, noting that low CD8 counts are more likely to occur in (ME)CFIDS than low CD4 counts, so the ratio is likely to be high in this disorder (i.e. facilitating an allergic or hyperimmune response). Dr Emmanuel Ojo-Amaize reported on the association between decreased NK cell activity and the severity of (ME)CFS; the results confirmed and extended previous reports demonstrating that a pronounced and consistent immunological abnormality detected in (ME)CFS patient is low NK cell cytotoxicity. 1993 A press release of 5th February 1993 from the NIAID stated: “Researchers at the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) report finding subtle immune abnormalities in people with chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) that ultimately may explain why they develop painful muscles and joints, and tender lymph nodes and other symptoms associated with the illness….When the researchers compared blood samples from…healthy volunteers with those from…CFS patients, they found several immune differences. These findings confirm and add new information to other immunological studies of CFS. Most notably, the CFS patients had significant differences in the number and character of one Invest in ME (Charity Nr. 1114035) type of immune cell – T cells that carry helper molecules, called CD4, on their surfaces. These cells, known as CD4+T cells, orchestrate the immune response….(Dr Stephen Straus said) ‘More CD4+T cells appear to change location, shifting from the blood into the tissues. These tissue-based cells escape detection by research blood tests’….In the tissues, CD4+T cells release molecules that help regulate the immune response. These molecules can cause mild inflammation and pain. ‘The same process causes pain in the intestines of people with inflammatory bowel disease’ says Dr (Warren) Strober, another member of the team who is an immunologist and expert in inflammatory bowel disease….The NIAID study will continue for several years….the data collected will be analysed to determine if these or other immune differences found vary with time or correlate with symptoms severity or recovery” (The CFIDS Chronicle, Winter 1992-1993). 1993 On 8th February 1993 The CFIDS Association of America issued a press release: “Government Finally Confirms Private Sector Research: Immune Abnormalities Found in Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. Federal scientists at the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases have published a study in the January 1993 issue of the Journal of Clinical Immunology reporting findings of immune abnormalities in (ME)CFS patients which confirms earlier studies performed by private sector researchers….It is the first acknowledgement by federal scientists that the ‘ID’ in CFIDS is indeed real. Over the past several years private sector researchers have been publishing similar studies, reporting various immune abnormalities in CFIDS patients”. 1993 At the 1993 Los Angeles Conference (7th - 9th May) on (ME)CFS, evidence was presented by Professor Nancy Klimas from the University of Miami that she and her team have been able to accurately predict 88% of (ME)CFS patients with a mathematical model of immunological parameters. This model combines levels of activated T cells and CD4 inducers of cytotoxic T cells with NK cell count and function: “In a normal population, 20% of lymphocytes are active at any www.investinme.org Page 43 of 108
44 Publizr Home