“Acute Phase Lipids” associated with phospholipids of Cardiolipins in sera of patients with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) and other diseases

Abstract

Interest in the study of lipids in CFS serum was initiated when it was shown that the lipids demonstrated an immunological reaction with MAb-CTX (monoclonal antibody to Ciguatoxin) associated with Ciguatera Fish Poisoning (CFP). CTX is a lipid marine toxin that is considered to be a neurotoxin. We have examined 328 CFS sera in a study with 17 CFP, 8 Gulf War, 24 Prostate Cancer, and 52 normal sera in the modified Membrane Immunobead Assay (MIA) procedure for CTX. Lipids from serum are extracted with 4 parts acetone to 1 part serum. The solution is shaken thoroughly and the suspension centrifuged at 1000 rpm for 10 minutes. The acetone phase is decanted into a tared 10 ml test tube and the acetone evaporated by a stream of air in a hood overnight. The dried lipid phase is weighed and recorded. The highest dilution showing color (+/−) with the MAb-CTX beads is scored as the end titre. A titre ≥ 1:40 is considered positive for “Acute Phase Lipids.” 328 CFS patient’s sera were examined by the modified MIA with purified MAb-CTX and 91% gave a titre ≥ 1:40.76% of the 17 CFP sera samples and 100% of the 8 Gulf War sera samples also had a titre ≥ 1:40.92% of 52 normal sera showed titres of 1:20 or less, while 4 gave titres of ≥ 1:40. In addition, 41 sera were examined for Anti-Cardiolipin (aCL) by a commercial ELISA procedure with 87.8% demonstrating IgM, IgM + IgA, or IgM +IgG aCL antibodies. These results showed mostly the IgM antibody in the samples. Preliminary chemical analyses have shown the lipids to be phospholipids associated with cardiolipin of the mitochondrial phospholipid. We designate this lipid, “Acute Phase Lipid” comparable to “Acute Phase Proteins” (CRP and SAA) in inflammatory conditions. [Supported, in part, by National CFIDS Fdn, Needham MA, and the Hokama-Yagawa Fund, UH Fdn]