What Causes ME/CFS: The Role of the Dysfunctional Immune System and Viral Infections

Abstract

Myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) remains an enigmatic highly disabling and complex long-term condition with a wide range of aetiologies and symptoms. A viral onset is commonly mentioned by patients and several bodily systems are ultimately disturbed. The parallel with long-covid is clear. However, immune dysregulation with impaired NK cell dysfunction and tendency to novel autoimmunity have been frequently reported. These may contribute to reactivation of previous acquired viruses/retrovirusesaccompanied by impaired endocrine regulation and mitochondrial energy generation. The unpredictable nature of seemingly unconnected and diverse symptoms that are poorly responsive to several allopathic and alternative therapies then contributes to an escalation of the illness with secondary dysfunction of multiple other systems. Treatment of established ME/CFS is therefore difficult and requires multi-specialty input addressing each of the areas affected by the illness.