Chronic Fatigue Syndrome expert discusses discovery of retrovirus

Posted on Oct 17, 2009 by Susie Collins in Blog, Media/Videos, Research, Susie Collins

Dr. Nancy Klimas talks about the discovery of XMRV, a retrovirus, in patients with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.

Background: The journal Science recently reported that 68 of 101 patients with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, or 67 percent, were infected with an infectious virus, xenotropic murine leukemia virus-related virus, or XMRV. Continuing work has found the virus in nearly 98 percent of about 300 patients with CFS. The retrovirus is a member of the same family of viruses as the AIDS virus.

klimisDr. Nancy Klimas is director at the E.M. Papper Laboratory of Clinical Immunology at the University of Miami. She is board certified in internal medicine and diagnostic laboratory immunology. She also is director of the Allergy and Immunology Clinic, and director of Research for the Clinical AIDS/HIV Research at the Miami Veterans Affairs Medical Center. A leader in the field of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) research, Dr. Klimas is the current President of the International Association for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. She is the principal investigator of the National Institute of Health’s (NIH) Center for Multidisciplinary Studies of CFS Pathophysiology at the University of Miami. She’s been appointed to the inter-agency CFS Coordinating Committee, chaired by the Surgeon General of the United States. She is the founding editor of the Journal of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.

In other words, she’s a heavy weight in the CFS universe, and gives an excellent over view of the current findings of XMRV.

This talk was taped Oct. 12, 2009, in Dr. Klimas’s office. She discusses what the discovery means, the importance of replicated studies, what’s next, and what you can do to help.


Find more videos like this on ME-CFSCommunity.com

People with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome often suffer Multiple Chemical Sensitivity along with other comorbid illnesses. For a related post on this story, see Researchers find virus in people with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.

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6 Responses to “Chronic Fatigue Syndrome expert discusses discovery of retrovirus”

  1. canary2

    18. Oct, 2009

    I tend to think that her second possibility is the case…the immune system is down and worn out and is therefore vunerable to these viruses… I tested positively for all kinds of viruses when I first was ill and my doctors have treated with antivirals since then, off and on as they raise their ugly heads. I’m guessing this will happen with this virus finding as well. I would like to believe the treatments associated with this finding will heal us but a bit skeptical since I have been at this for over five years now and the antivirals help but haven’t cured. While we are all waiting, I still think building up the immune system with diet and supplementation, and detoxifying from our exposures is a good strategy.

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  2. Susie Collins

    18. Oct, 2009

    Aloha Canary2, I’m sorry to hear you’ve struggled with this illness for so long. The next round of studies should tell much more, have more concrete answers for you. Take care, Susie

    Reply to this comment

  3. John

    18. Oct, 2009

    Sorry to nitpick, but the info in Dr. Klimas’ bio is a couple years old it seems. Dr. Klimas is no longer the President of the IACFS/ME, Prof. Fred Freidberg is. Also, the CFS Coordinating Committee either changed it’s name or was disbanded and a new group was formed, I’m not sure which, but the new name is the CFS Advisory Committee, or CFSAC, as opposed to CFSCC. I also think the CFSAC reports to the Secretary of Health and Human Services(who does not listen to their recommendations or even respond that the recommendations were received, so I’m told), not the Surgeon General. Dr. Klimas do be a heavyweight in CFS research though.

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  4. Susie Collins

    18. Oct, 2009

    John, thank you so much for that clarification. I snitched that bio off a page from the university website. Must need to be updated. Thanks again.

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  5. AnthonyBurbidge

    19. Oct, 2009

    My intuition has told me for some time that I have a virus. I started taking a natural antiviral made here in Canada a few months ago and it really helped. Every time I stop though I feel worse. Nice to know there’s some science to back up my personal experience.

    Anthony

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  6. Susie Collins

    19. Oct, 2009

    Anthony, anecdotal stories like yours are important for researchers, it helps them better understand where to look and how to plan for the unbiased and scientifically-based replicated studies. I’m happy to hear you have found some relief through natural antivirals.

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