+1b Viral

<div class="t m0 x2 h4 yb ff2 fs2 fc0 sc0 ls3 ws1">From: Antiviral_Pathway_Deregulation_of_Chronic_Fatigue_Syndrome_Induces_Nitric_Oxide_Production_in_Immune_Cells_That_Precludes_a_Resolution_of_the_Inflammatory_Response</div>

Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) is a poorly defined medical condition diagnosed by exclusion, which, besides severe chronic fatigue as the hallmark symptom, involves inflammatory and immune activation stigma. Although viral infections are not systematically found in CFS patients, the type I interferon antiviral pathway has been repeatedly shown to be activated in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) of the most afflicted patients. An abnormal truncated form of ribonuclease L (37-kDa RNase L) is also found in the PBMC of CFS patients and this protein has been proposed as a biological marker for CFS.

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From: <a id="null" class="null" href="http://jpet.aspetjournals.org/content/jpet/early/2018/08/03/jpet.118.250845.full.pdf">http://jpet.aspetjournals.org/content/jpet/early/2018/08/03/jpet.118.250845.full.pdf</a>

Clinical and subclinical viral infections have been suspected, but never confirmed, as a possible risk factor for the development of ME/CFS (Katz, et al., 2009), (Fremont, et al., 2009)

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Many of the signs and symptoms of ME/CFS are similar to those of a lingering viral illness, so a lot of research has focused on the possibility of a viral or infectious cause.

Researchers have examined three infection-related theories, though none has been proven:

A virus or bacteria infects the body and damages the immune system. The damage then continues to cause flu-like symptoms even after the virus or bacteria is gone.

After an infection, an abnormal action by the immune system triggers a virus that had become inactive to reactivate.

A physiological response to viral infections occurs in people who are susceptible.

While not everyone with ME/CFS shows signs of infection, many do. Several pieces of evidence support a theory that some ME/CFS is caused at least in part by a virus:

Enterovirus connection
In a 2007 study, people with ME/CFS were four times more likely than healthy people to have evidence of enteroviruses in their stomach tissues. Enteroviruses cause stomach infections, and symptoms of ME/CFS frequently start after that kind of illness.

Rnase L
Your body uses the enzyme Rnase L to kill viruses that are attacking your cells, and ME/CFS patients frequently have high Rnase L activity.

Natural Killer (NK) Cells and T Cells
NK & T cells in your immune system attack virus-infected cells, and people with ME/CFS frequently have impaired NK and T cell functions and numbers, suggesting chronic immune activity may be exhausting and depleting them.

Antibodies
People with ME/CFS typically have high levels of antibodies to many infection-causing organisms that cause fatigue and other ME/CFS symptoms. These organisms include those that cause candida (yeast), human herpesvirus type 6 (HHV-6), measles, parvovirus, and Epstein-Barr. Researchers have not been able to show that any of these is a significant cause of ME/CFS.

Post-illness onset
Up to 80 percent of ME/CFS cases start suddenly after a flu-like condition.

Cluster outbreaks
While the CDC has not confirmed most cluster outbreaks, reports of multiple people in the same household, workplace, and community developing ME/CFS at the same time are not unheard of.

Some researchers suggest that changes in normally harmless bacteria in the intestine may play a role in the development of ME/CFS.

However, some evidence seems to run counter to the viral-cause theory. ME/CFS doesn't appear to spread through direct content, people with it don't appear contagious, and -- in spite of well-designed studies -- researchers have not been able to link ME/CFS with any specific infections.

A Note on XMRV

In 2009, researchers from the Whittemore Peterson Institute (WPI) published a study in the journal Science that suggested a link between XMRV, a newly discovered retrovirus, and ME/CFS. They found XMRV in about 67% of blood samples from ME/CFS patients. They also detected it in 3% of healthy controls.

However, subsequent studies failed to confirm the link, including a large study involving the WPI's primary researcher. Other studies suggested means by which contamination may have created false positives in the original study. By late 2011, the XMRV theory had been all-but abandoned.
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Chronic fatigue syndrome is associated with chronic enterovirus infection of the stomach
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Abstract
Background and Aims: The aetiology for chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) remains elusive although enteroviruses have been implicated as one of the causes by a number of studies. Since most CFS patients have persistent or intermittent gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms, the presence of viral capsid protein 1 (VP1), enterovirus (EV) RNA and culturable virus in the stomach biopsy specimens of patients with CFS was evaluated.
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Methods: 165 consecutive patients with CFS underwent upper GI endoscopies and antrum biopsies. Immunoperoxidase staining was performed using EV-specific monoclonal antibody (mAb) or a control mAb specific for cytomegalovirus (CMV). RT-PCR ELISA was performed on RNA extracted from paraffin sections or samples preserved in RNA later. Biopsies from normal stomach and other gastric diseases served as controls. 75 samples were cultured for EV.
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Results: 135/165 (82%) biopsies stained positive for VP1 within parietal cells, whereas 7/34 (20%) of the controls stained positive (p≤0.001). CMV mAb failed to stain any of the biopsy specimens. Biopsies taken from six patients at the onset of the CFS/abdominal symptoms, and 2–8 years later showed positive staining in the paired specimens. EV RNA was detected in 9/24 (37%) paraffin-embedded biopsy samples; 1/21 controls had detectable EV RNA (p<0.01); 1/3 patients had detectable EV RNA from two samples taken 4 years apart; 5 patient samples showed transient growth of non-cytopathic enteroviruses.
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Conclusion: Enterovirus VP1, RNA and non-cytopathic viruses were detected in the stomach biopsy specimens of CFS patients with chronic abdominal complaints. A significant subset of CFS patients may have a chronic, disseminated, non-cytolytic form of enteroviral infection, which could be diagnosed by stomach biopsy.
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www.enterovirusfoundation.org/immuneboosters.shtml
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( Alternative Treatment for Enterovirus
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Due to the lack of pharmaceutical medicines or antiviral treatments, it is important for an infected patient to boost their immune system to help fight disease. Below are a select group of alternative treatments that may help some individuals. These treatments have not been FDA approved and are not endorsed by the Enterovirus Foundation. These are listed for information only.
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The Enterovirus Foundation advises individuals to consult a physician before talking any medication, supplement or alternative treatment.
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Immune Boosters
ProBoost - Thymic Protein A - This is a synthetic version of the protein made in the thymus that helps CD4 cells mature and differentiate. It was developed by Terry Beardsley, PhD, from Baylor College in Texas, and is sold as a nutraceutical. It has been tested in two small uncontrolled trials of chronic viral illness patients and AIDS patients, and was shown to increase CD4 count and normalize other immune markers such as elevated antiviral pathways. http://www.proboostmed.com/research.html
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ImmunoPro - This product is reported to have antiviral properties in addition to immune modulating effects. It is a combination of denatured whey, lactoferrin, active peptides, transfer factors, and immunoglobulins, and is said to be a potent stimulant of glutathione. The product contains high levels of cysteine and other amino acids that are precursors to glutathione. The compound is also supposed to shift cytokines toward a th1 profile. http://www.allergyresearchgroup.com/proddesc/products/immunopro.htm
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Imunovir - Immunomodulator. This is a prescription drug that is not approved in the US but is used extensively in Eastern Europe and Russia as an antiviral treatment. It is also used in the US with special permission, on a case-by-case basis, for SSPE (chronic measles encephalitis) because nothing else works for it. It can be legally imported to the US from pharmacies overseas with a prescription. http://www.rivexpharma.com/products_imunovir.html
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Zadaxin - This is an immune stimulant made by SciCline Pharmaceuticals in California, and marketed in 30 countries. It is not yet approved in the US; however, it is in Phase III trials. Zadaxin is a synthetic version of thymosin alpha, a substance produced by the body's thymus to stimulate T cells and NK cells. It can be legally imported to the US from pharmacies overseas with a prescription. It involves injection with an insulin needle twice per week. http://www.scicloneinternational.com/zadaxin.shtml
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Equilibrant is an all-natural dietary supplement that supports a healthy immune system. Its unique nutrient rich formula is composed of vitamins, selenium, and a proprietary blend of herbal extracts. Unlike other immune "stimulants" or "modulators", Equiliabrant works by balancing the immune response to the appropriate direction. Made in the United States under GMP standards. Coming soon. http://www.equilibranthealth.com.
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D-ribose - D-Ribofuranose (D-ribose) is a five-carbon monosaccharide that is made in cells and stimulates the metabolic pathway used to make a class of compounds called purines and pyrimidines. These compounds are essential for the body's production of adenosine triphosphate (ATP). It is reported to have direct antiviral effects. D-ribose is widely used to boost energy and treat heart disease. http://www.corvalen.com/Dietary_Supps.html
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High dose EPA - Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) is one of the active ingredients of omega-3 fish oil. An Israeli study of 20 patients with major depression found that EPA resulted in "highly significant benefits" compared to a placebo by week three. Virally ill patients may be benefit from this as well.
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Vitamin D - Vitamin D produces a peptide that is important for cell mediated immunity and antiviral defenses. Patients with Multiple Sclerosis and Parkinson Disease tend to have low Vitamin D levels, and viruses have long been suspected in both conditions. Depending on the condition, physicians may recmmend 3000-5000 IUs daily.
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Lysine - This is reported to be a natural antiviral, and is used widely for cold sores and ulcerations.
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Quercetin - This is found to be the most active of the flavonoids in studies, and many medicinal plants owe much of their activity to their high quercetin content. Quercetin has demonstrated significant anti-inflammatory activity because of direct inhibition of several initial processes of inflammation. For example, it inhibits both the manufacture and release of histamine and other allergic/inflammatory mediators. It also exerts potent antioxidant activity and vitamin C-sparing action. Quercetin has been shown to be a good treatment option for interstitial cystitis.
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Zinc, Selenium, Potassium, Glutamine, Calcium & Magnesium - These are important in fighting off viral infections.)
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(A reply to the article "High levels of ciguatoxin are found in almost all people diagnosed with CFIDS/ME. This is a slightly different epitope of ciguatoxin that effects the sodium channel membranes. Enterovirus etc do not release ciguatoxin").
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