Meirleir D, et al. A 37 kDa 2-5A Binding Protein as a Potential Biochemical Marker for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. American Journal of Medicine 2000; 108: 99-105.
The hypothesis of this study is that there develops a problem with the regulation of the antiviral response, resulting in chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS). There is no specific test for this disease of unknown cause that has no effective treatment. Extracts from peripheral blood mononuclear cells were analyzed for 2-5A dependent binding proteins. A heavier (80-kDa) 2-5A binding protein was present in all individuals. A lighter (37 kDa) 2-5A binding protein was present in 50/57 (88%) patients with CFS, 9/28 (32%) in healthy controls, 2/14 (14%) in those with depression and 4/11 (38%) in those with fibromyalgia. The authors conclude this 37 kDa 2-5A binding protein may be a useful biomarker for CFS. The biological significance of these 2-5A binding proteins in patients with CFS is unknown. The 32% positive rate in healthy people shows the limits of specificity of the test.