Latest research: Retrovirus linked to ME/CFS, Whittemore Peterson Institute

The latest research from Whittemore Peterson Institute indicates that there is evidence that a retrovirus named XMRV is frequently present in the blood of patients with ME/CFS.

Many of you will be aware of the latest research finding from the Whittemore Peterson Institute from Dr Judy Milkovits regarding the retrovirus that has been linked to ME/CFS.

From a press release: NCI Office, Whittemore Peterson Institute, Cleveland Clinic Corporation, 8th of October 2009.

"We have evidence that a retrovirus named XMRV is frequently present in the blood of 
patients with CFS. This discovery could be a major step in the discovery of vital treatment options for millions of patients. Researchers cautioned however, that this finding shows there is an association between XMRV and CFS but does not prove that XMRV causes CFS. In this study, WPI scientists identified XMRV in the blood of 68 of 101 (67 percent) CFS patients. In contrast, they found that eight of 218 healthy people (3.7 percent) contained XMRV DNA. Scientists can now begin the important work of translating this discovery into medical care for 
individuals with XMRV related diseases."

More information:

October 9 2009: NPR Morning Edition: Radio interview with Dr. Dan Peterson (4.34 mins) Renee Montagne (transcript also available).

October 8 2009: NPR All Things Considered: Radio interview with Dr. Milkovits and Annette Whittemore (3.37 mins) J. Hamilton.

October 8 2009: National Institutes of Health (USA) press release: Consortium of Researchers Discover Retroviral Link to Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.

Website: Whittemore Peterson Institute for Neuro-Immune Disease (USA)

Over the next few weeks ME/CFS will disseminate the retrovirus research to a range of heath professionals, academics, government advisors, and health and community services.