Multiple co‐infections (Mycoplasma, Chlamydia, human herpes virus‐6) in blood of chronic fatigue syndrome patients: association with signs and symptoms

Abstract

Previously we and others found that a majority of chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) patients showed evidence of systemic mycoplasmal infections, and their blood tested positive using a polymerase chain reaction assay for at least one of the four following Mycoplasma species: M. fermentans, M. hominis, M. pneumoniae or M. penetrans. Consistent with previous results, patients in the current study (n=200) showed a high prevalence (overall 52%) of mycoplasmal infections. Using forensic polymerase chain reaction we also examined whether these same patients showed evidence of infections with Chlamydia pneumoniae (overall 7.5% positive) and/or active human herpes virus-6 (HHV-6, overall 30.5% positive). Since the presence of one or more infections may predispose patients to other infections, we examined the prevalence of C. pneumoniae and HHV-6 active infections in mycoplasma-positive and -negative patients. Unexpectedly, we found that the incidence of C. pneumoniae or HHV-6 was similar in Mycoplasma-positive and -negative patients, and the converse was also found in active HHV-6-positive and -negative patients. Control subjects (n=100) had low rates of mycoplasmal (6%), active HHV-6 (9%) or chlamydial (1%) infections, and there were no co-infections in control subjects. Differences in bacterial and/or viral infections in CFS patients compared to control subjects were significant. Severity and incidence of patients' signs and symptoms were compared within the above groups. Although there was a tendency for patients with multiple infections to have more severe signs and symptoms (p<0.01), the only significant differences found were in the incidence and severity of certain signs and symptoms in patients with multiple co-infections of any type compared to the other groups (p<0.01). There was no correlation between the type of co-infection and severity of signs and symptoms. The results indicate that a large subset of CFS patients show evidence of bacterial and/or viral infection(s), and these infections may contribute to the severity of signs and symptoms found in these patients.

Neurodegenerative and Fatiguing Illnesses, Infections and Mitochondrial Dysfunction: Use of Natural Supplements to Improve Mitochondrial Function.

“…In addition to Mycoplasma species (OR=13.8, CI 95% 5.8-32.9, p<0.001), co-infections with C. pneumoniae (OR=8.6, CI 95% 1.0-71.1, p<0.01) and HHV-6 (OR=4.5, CI 95% 2.0-10.2, p<0.001) were also found [197]. The presence of these infections was also related to the number and severity of signs and symptoms [201]. Similarly, Vojdani et al also found Mycoplasma species in a majority of CFS/ME patients [200], but this has not been seen in all studies [202].…”

Molecular cell biology and cancer metastasis. An interview with Garth Nicolson

“…Since we had studied the signs and symptoms in over a thousand Gulf War veterans, we were struck by the similarity of their illnesses to Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Fibromyalgia Syndrome found in civilians. Studying these civilian illnesses we found similar chronic infections but in the case of civilians there were multiple infections (Nicolson et al, 2003a). We have been working on new therapeutic approaches to treat these illnesses, and one of my recent efforts has been directed at repair of their intracellular membranes, which we have found are damaged and leaky in these illnesses.…”

Description of Lyme disease-like syndrome in Brazil: is it a new tick borne disease or Lyme disease variation?

“…Recently, Eskow et al (37) Other studies have shown that a high proportion of patients with chronic fatigue present infection by at least one species of Mycoplasma: M. hominis, M. pneumoniae and M. fermentans (28,33). It was also reported that patients with chronic fatigue demonstrated evidence of infection by C. pneumoniae and active human herpes virus-6 (28).…”

“…The inability of the host organism to completely eliminate the pathogen leads to a chronic infection state, which can cause tissue damage sequelae. Thus, the infection, dissemination and development of immunity against Chlamydophila pneumoniae seem to have an important role in several diseases such as reactive arthritis, atherosclerosis, Alzheimer disease, and multiple sclerosis (28,29). A possible role of coinfection by M. pneumoniae and C. pneumoniae has been associated with the progress of atherosclerosis (29).…”

“…The capacity of C. pneumoniae to infect and disseminate through several human cells after respiratory infection, such as epithelial, endothelial and smooth muscle cells, as well as macrophages, monocytes and lymphocytes, is well documented. Also, macrophage infection can lead to systemic dissemination, including the nervous system (28).…”