The origin of chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) is a mystery, but new research conducted at Cornell University in New York sheds new light on a condition that can reduce the activity of those who suffer from it by up to 80% . Cornell researchers say they can diagnose CFS, that permanent tiredness that is not relieved by rest, through simple blood and stool tests . Because, according to the magazine Microbiome , those affected have the same pattern of irregularities in their intestinal flora.
“The detection of biological anomalies further calls into question the ridiculous concept that CFS is a psychological disorder, ” goes so far as to affirm Maureen Hanson, professor at Cornell University and co-author of the work.
Ludovic Giloteaux, the study’s principal investigator, goes further: “In the future, this technique may not only serve as a complement to other non-invasive diagnostic methods , but doctors may also consider changing patients’ diet and using supplements fiber or probiotics in order to prevent disease ”.
To achieve these results, the scientists compared the microbial DNA present in the feces of 48 CFS patients with that of 39 healthy individuals. Thus, they observed that subjects suffering from chronic fatigue had less bacterial diversity and had a deficit of microbes linked to anti-inflammatory processes , as occurs in those affected by Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis.
They also detected markers of inflammation in his blood, probably due to the presence of bacteria in the bloodstream. This would trigger an autoimmune reaction that worsens symptoms . What scientists still don’t know is whether microbial disruption is a cause or an effect of CFS.
