Dutch Magazine:  Confirmation of Link Between
CFS and XMRV To Be Published Soon

(June 22, 2010) According to a circulating news release, researchers at the NIH and the FDA have confirmed a link between some patients with chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) and XRMV, a novel retrovirus. Journalists at the Dutch magazine Ortho base the claim on statements made by Dr. Harvey Alter. The statements were made in a closed-door lecture in Zagreb, Croatia.

In October 2009, researchers at the Whittemore-Peterson Institute found the retrovirus, XRMV, in 68 of 101 CFS patients, despite finding the virus in less than 4 percent of healthy controls. The research findings quickly prompted a strong backlash from many CFS researchers, many of whom have long favored non-viral theories for the illness.  Quickly, several studies and papers challenged the findings.

But according to Alter's presentation, which has been circulating around the internet, "the data in the Lombardi, et al Science manuscript are extremely strong and likely true, despite the controversy... Although blood transmission to humans has not been proved, it is probable.   XMRV and related MLV's are in the donor supply with an early prevalence estimate of 3% to 7%.   We (FDA and NIH) have independently confirmed the Lombardi group findings."    Alter states that WPI has already been able to demonstrate infectivity of XMRV in studies in which they "transmitted XMRV to rhesus macaques by the IV route and demonstrated infectivity." 

Alter, who is a clinical studies chief at Department of Transfusion Medicine at the NIH, is well-known for his role in the discovery of the Hepatitis C virus.   He allegedly made the statements on XMRV and CFS at the IPFA/PEI 17th Workshop on 'Surveillance and screening of Blood Borne Pathogens. The International Plasma Fractionation Association (IPFA), an organization based in Amsterdam, represents Dutch companies involved in plasma fractionation and blood donor safety.

If true, the findings will prompt questions about the direction and commitment of federal programs for CFS. At a late May 2010 CFS Advisory committee meeting, scientists and clinicians passed a recommendation urging the HHS to remit blood donations from CFS patients.  However, Dr. Eleanor Hanna, director of the CFS research program at the Office of Research on Women's Health, stated that a decision to not remit CFS blood donation would prevent unnecessary public concern or fear about CFS.  In at the same meeting, Dr. Elizabeth Unger asserted that her program at the CDC remained committed to theories on metabolic syndrome and stress response, despite the published link between CFS and XRMV.

In recent weeks, several researchers have lashed out at the published link between chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) and XMRV. In an April 2010 letter to the Journal of Science, a group of CFS researchers expressed dismay that the link between CFS and XMRV was published.   Just last week, an article in the Chicago Tribune implied that XMRV research was harming scientific consensus and presented a danger to the CFS patient community.