MAGICAL MEDICINE: HOW TO MAKE AN ILLNESS ... - Invest in ME

1988
156
“Allergies are a common feature of patients with the chronic fatigue syndrome. Among the features of this syndrome is
a high prevalence of allergy, an allergy that appears to be substantial” (Stephen E Straus et al: National Institutes
for Allergy and Infectious Diseases. J Allergy Clin Immunol 1988:81:791‐795).
1988
“We report patients (who) had a specific deficiency of IgG1 subclass. The finding of IgG1 subclass deficiency in these
patients is novel, as lone deficiency of this subclass is rare and affected patients appear to have common variable
hypogammaglobulinaemia. Further scrutiny of cases (of ME/CFS) may reveal a range of subtle immunological
abnormalities” (Robert Read, Gavin Spickett et al. Lancet, January 30 1988:241‐242).
1989
“Our investigations suggest that (ME)CFS is characterized by objective laboratory abnormalities. A more appropriate
name for this syndrome would be chronic fatigue‐immune dysfunction syndrome (CFIDS), since immune dysfunction
appears to be the hallmark of the disease process” (Nancy Eby et al. In: Natural Killer Cells and Host Defense.
Ed: Ades EW and Lopez C. 5 th International Natural Killer Cell Workshop. Pub: Karger, Basel, 1989:141‐
145).
1989
“Many of the immunological and physical features of ME/CFS cannot be explained by mental illness” (Stephen E
Straus of the National Institutes for Allergy and Infectious Diseases, USA, “USA Today”, 13 th April, 1989:
reported in CFIDS Chronicle, Spring 1989, pp77‐78).
1989
“(ME)CFS has been associated with abnormal T cell function. These patients have diminished phytohaemagglutinin‐
induced lymphocyte transformation and decreased synthesis of interleukin. We studied the display of CD3, CD5, CD2,
CD4, CD8 and Leu‐M3‐defined antigen in peripheral blood mononuclear cells in (ME)CFS who fulfilled the (1988
Holmes et al) criteria. Patients had reduced expression of CD3. These data indicate that in (ME)CFS, some patients
have T lymphocytes (CD2‐ and CD5‐ positive cells) without immunoreactive CD3” (ML Subira et al. The Journal of
Infectious Disease 1989:160:1:165‐166).
1989
“Disordered immunity may be central to the pathogenesis of (ME)CFS. Reduced IgG levels were common (56% of
patients), with the levels of serum IgG3 and IgG1 subclasses particularly affected. The finding of significantly
increased numbers of peripheral blood mononuclear cells that express Class‐II histocompatibility antigens (HLA‐DR)
in our patients implies immunological activation of these cells. Once activated, these cells may continue to produce
cytokines which may mediate the symptoms of (ME)CFS” (AR Lloyd et al. The Medical Journal of Australia
1989:151:122‐124).
1990
“The subgroup of patients with immunological abnormalities may have a prolonged illness” (DO Ho‐Yen JRCGP
1990:40:37‐39).