Can a new blood test help diagnose chronic fatigue syndrome?
One common symptom among individuals with autoimmune diseases is fatigue, which can be persistent and impact daily life. Having extreme fatigue, dizziness, weakness, and sleep problems for at least 6 months is known as Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME), also referred to as Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS). Around 17 to 24 million people globally live with ME/CFS, but much about the condition remains a mystery to the scientific community. Although some suspect ME/CFS to have an autoimmune component, the causes of the condition are still unknown
Unfortunately, this syndrome is difficult to diagnose since there is no test used for a clear diagnosis, and many of the symptoms are shared with other conditions, such as multiple sclerosis or fibromyalgia. However, researchers from the University of East Anglia, in collaboration with biotechnology company Oxford Biodynamics, have developed a blood test to diagnose ME/CFS.
In this study, researchers examined blood samples from 47 participants with severe ME/CFS and 61 healthy controls using 3D genomics technology to observe how the DNA is folded inside the cells. They discovered that those with ME/CFS had a distinctive pattern in the DNA folds that isn't seen in healthy individuals. Using the blood samples to detect this distinctive biological "signature," researchers were able to diagnose ME/CFS with 96% accuracy.
In addition to identifying this diagnostic marker, researchers also examined over 1 million 3D chromosome conformations and found that over 200 of them are altered in the ME/CFS group. With this information, researchers will be able to analyze and target the altered chromosome conformations to improve and create targeted treatments.
The diagnostic process for ME/CFS has usually been time-consuming and stressful for patients. But with these new findings, physicians may have an easier time diagnosing patients, and researchers have new targets for developing future therapies. Although more research on the accuracy of the blood test needs to be done, this is an innovative approach that shows promise for the future of diagnosing ME/CFS.
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