Abstract
Background: Immunological abnormalities have been identified in Chronic Fatigue Syndrome/Myalgic Encephalomyelitis patients fulfilling the 1994 Centers for Disease Control diagnostic criteria. Significant developments have been made to diagnostic criteria, but potential immunological markers have not been assessed in patients fulfilling these latest clinical requirements. Therefore, this study evaluated immunological parameters in patients that also fulfill the latest diagnostic criteria available known as the International Consensus Criteria. Methods: The Immunological investigations including Natural Killer cell activity and phenotyping studies for dendritic cells, neutrophils, B cells and regulatory T cells were performed on whole blood samples collected from all participants using flow cytometric protocols. The physical functioning of all participants was also evaluated using scores from the Short Form Health Survey, and the World Health Organization Disability Adjustment Schedule. Results were compared according 1994 Centers of Disease Control and Prevention defined patients, and International Consensus Criteria defined patients, and healthy controls. Results: Natural killer cell activity was consistently and significantly decreased, and regulatory T cells were significantly increased in both patient groups compared to healthy controls. Differences were found in human neutraphil antigens and expression of natural killer cell receptors between patient groups. Highly significant correlations were also found between physical status and some immune parameters in International Consensus Criteria defined patients. Conclusion: This preliminary investigation on different diagnostic criteria suggests that the International Consensus Criteria may be more effective a detecting salient differences in the immune system.
Highlights
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, referred to as Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (CFS/ME) encompasses a range of symptoms in response to unknown agents and physiological processes
CFS/ME has been defined according to an array of diagnostic criteria that include the 1988 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 1994 CDC, Australian, British, 2003 Canadian Consensus, and 2011 International Consensus Criteria (ICC) [1,2,3,4,5,6]
Diagnoses based on the 1994 CDC and ICC
Summary
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, referred to as Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (CFS/ME) encompasses a range of symptoms in response to unknown agents and physiological processes. CFS/ME has been defined according to an array of diagnostic criteria that include the 1988 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 1994 CDC, Australian, British, 2003 Canadian Consensus, and 2011 International Consensus Criteria (ICC) [1,2,3,4,5,6]. Patients are required to fulfill required number of symptoms from each category. This new criteria allows for a more holistic investigation of CFS/ME, where patients exhibit unique combinations of symptoms that result in mild to severe impairment in physical functioning. Immunological abnormalities have been identified in Chronic Fatigue Syndrome/Myalgic Encephalomyelitis patients fulfilling the 1994 Centers for Disease Control diagnostic criteria.
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