A study published in last week's Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences provides more strong evidence that chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) is caused by a retrovirus. Four previous studies had failed to confirm the promising findings published in the October 2009 issue of Science, which had pinpointed the xenotropic murine leukemia virus-related virus (XMRV). The new evidence implicates different members of the same class of murine leukemia virus (MLV). Investigators found MLV-related virus gene sequences in 32 of 37 (86.5%) patients with CFS but in just 3 of 44 (6.8%) healthy blood donors.CLICK HERE to read the New York Times coverage of the study and the ensuing debate among leading researchers.
Clearly these findings bring new hope and energy to the field of CFS research, along with serious new concerns for the safety of our nation's blood supply. But they change our view of the evidence on HBOT for chronic fatigue syndrome not a whit. Scant. The viral connection does, however, raise a topic that has been occupying our minds lately. Vaccines. More soon to follow.
O2.O is the news blog of HyperbaricLink, the independent web guide to hyperbaric oxygen therapy.
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