did anyone see the itv nes yesterday afternoon? . I missed it but apparantly threr is alot or research been done and they are developing ablood test to diagnose a problem in the cells of m.e. sufferers..This should mean a jab will be able to be developed to help...
The new scientist have also published something similar recently (look n their website)
My mum has hopefully taped it, will post more detailed expo when i view the tape.
RE: m.e on the news blood tests?
i watched the afore mentioned tape yesterday and there are tests being done as we speak by a Dr (Jonathon i think) Kerr in edinburgh uni on a poss blood test and vaccine, if anyone comes accross any more detailed info please post,
thanks x
RE: m.e on the news blood tests?
Nearly missed this one!
Am surprised it didn't generate more interest, so bearing mind a certain montain & a certain prophet. Here, to me is the most useful bit of article.
Kerr hopes the work might even lead to treatments. "We have shown that a significant part of the pathogenesis resides in the white blood cells and in their activity," he says. "It will open the door to development of pharmacological interventions."
Several of the genes identified by the team in CFS play important roles in mitochondria, the power factories of our cells. "The involvement of such genes does seem to fit with the fact that these patients lack energy and suffer from fatigue," Kerr says.
One of these gene products, EIF4G1, is involved in protein production in mitochondria. It is hijacked by some viruses, so cells may compensate by ramping up gene expression. "I am excited by the paper," says Basant Puri, a CFS expert at Hammersmith Hospital in London. "The group's finding of upregulation of EIF4G1 is consistent with subclinical persistent viral infection."
This fits in with the idea that CFS is sometimes triggered by viruses such as Epstein-Barr, Q fever, enteroviruses and parvovirus B19. "CFS often begins with a flu-like illness which never goes away," Kerr says.
Of the other genes whose expression varies in CFS patients, some are involved in regulating the activity of the immune system. Others play important roles in nerve cells, including a gene called NTE, which codes for an enzyme affected by organophosphates and nerve gases.
Journal reference: Journal of Clinical Pathology (vol 58, p 823, 860)
From issue 2509 of New Scientist magazine, 21 July 2005, page 9
Andrew.