Non-profit reports breakthrough in understanding chronic fatigue syndrome.

Moral of the story: A virus might be responsible for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.

Source: AMA Morning Rounds 11/12/09

Non-profit reports breakthrough in understanding chronic fatigue syndrome.

The New York Times (11/12, SPG8, Grady) reports that the Whittemore Peterson Institute for Neuro-Immune Disease, a nonprofit in Reno, recently had a breakthrough in understanding chronic fatigue syndrome. The Institute was founded by Harvey and Annette Whittemore "out of desperation to find answers" for their daughters condition. Instead of "doling out money to far-flung researchers," the Whittemores "wanted to employ their own scientists who would be devoted full time to the cause." They hired Dr. Judy A. Mikovits, a virus expert from the National Cancer Institute, who discovered that a retrovirus called XMRV, "may cause or at least contribute to chronic fatigue syndrome." Other doctors have "emphasized that more research was needed," and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention will "try to replicate the XMRV findings." The CDC's Dr. William C. Reeves, "has said that he does not expect to find the virus in blood samples from patients."