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Predictors for Developing Severe ME/CFS Following Mononucleosis

14 Pages Posted: 7 Apr 2021

See all articles by Leonard A. Jason

Leonard A. Jason

DePaul University - Center for Community Research

Joseph Cotler

DePaul University - Center for Community Research

Mohammed F. Islam

DePaul University - Center for Community Research

Jacob Furst

DePaul University - College of Computing and Digital Media

Ben Z. Katz

Northwestern University - Feinberg School of Medicine

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Abstract

Background : Myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) is a debilitating illness affecting over a million people in the US. About 9-12% of individuals develop this syndrome six months following Infectious Mononucleosis (IM); those who meet > 1 set of criteria for ME/CFS are termed severe ME/CFS.  We sought to determine why some individuals develop ME/CFS following IM while most recover. 

Methods: Our study was a prospective cohort study conducted at Northwestern University.  We recruited a cohort of college students before, during, and after being infected with IM. Those who developed IM were followed-up with at six months to determine whether they recovered or met criteria for ME/CFS.  We explored baseline levels and severity at follow-up of IM variables for those who recovered from IM and those who developed severe ME/CFS 6 months following IM.

Findings: Pre-illness variables that differentiated these groups included baseline gastrointestinal symptoms and certain cytokines. At onset of IM, gastrointestinal symptoms differentiated the two groups.

Interpretation: The differences that emerged predicted the onset of severe ME/CFS following IM. Our research has thus uncovered risk factors predisposing to non-recovery following IM so that preventative and treatment strategies for ME/CFS may now be devised and studied.

Funding: This work was supported by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases [grant number AI 105781].

Declaration of Interest: The authors declare no competing interests.

Ethical Approval: Institutional Review Board approval was obtained.

Keywords: Networks, Cytokines, Infectious Mononucleosis, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Myalgic Encephalomyelitis

Suggested Citation

Jason, Leonard A. and Cotler, Joseph and Islam, Mohammed F. and Furst, Jacob and Katz, Ben Z., Predictors for Developing Severe ME/CFS Following Mononucleosis. Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=3821486 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.3821486

Leonard A. Jason

DePaul University - Center for Community Research

1 East Jackson Blvd.
Chicago, IL 60604
United States

Joseph Cotler

DePaul University - Center for Community Research ( email )

1 East Jackson Blvd.
Chicago, IL 60604
United States

Mohammed F. Islam

DePaul University - Center for Community Research

1 East Jackson Blvd.
Chicago, IL 60604
United States

Jacob Furst

DePaul University - College of Computing and Digital Media ( email )

243 South Wabash Avenue
Chicago, IL 60604
United States

Ben Z. Katz (Contact Author)

Northwestern University - Feinberg School of Medicine ( email )

Chicago, IL 60611
United States