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Scientists believe chronic fatigue syndrome is caused by bacteria
Last reviewed: 02.07.2025
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A few decades ago, there was no such diagnosis as chronic fatigue syndrome. Therefore, this pathological condition is currently poorly studied. For example, no one can accurately indicate the cause of the syndrome, and scientists continue to study the disease more deeply.
In the US, chronic fatigue syndrome began to be classified as a disease only about thirty years ago. The syndrome is characterized by general weakness and exhaustion that cannot be explained by any visible reasons. Additional symptoms often include impaired concentration, insomnia or drowsiness, muscle discomfort, etc. Scientifically, the syndrome sounds like "benign myalgic encephalomyelitis."
At some point, it was suggested that a viral infection leads to the development of the syndrome. Some scientists adhered to the version of stress-related origin of the pathology. There were also separate theories about the involvement of the endocrine system and immune disorders.
Recent studies have allowed specialists to discover that bacteria are to blame for the development of the syndrome.
Even earlier, doctors noticed that almost 90% of people with chronic fatigue syndrome also have irritable bowel syndrome: the relationship between intestinal flora and the appearance of constant fatigue would seem obvious.
A number of scientists representing the Center for Infectious Diseases and the Immune System (Columbia University) have undertaken a detailed study of the bacterial flora in the intestines of patients suffering from chronic fatigue syndrome. It was found that the syndrome is directly related to the presence of such microorganisms as coprococci, clostridia, coprobacilli, ruminococci, as well as Roseeburia and Dorea bacteria.
A hundred volunteers took part in the experiment. In addition to an analysis of intestinal microflora, they checked the content of immunoglobulins and antibodies in the bloodstream.
The main biological marker of the syndrome was an increased content of Alistipes microbes against a background of a deficiency of Faecalibacterium. If chronic fatigue syndrome occurred without irritable bowel syndrome, then the cause was an increased presence of Bacteroides bacteria against a background of a deficiency of Bacteroides vulgatus microorganisms.
The specialists did not find a single immune marker. Although, perhaps, the study should have been conducted over a longer period of time.
"We can assume that once the gut microbiome is studied, chronic fatigue syndrome can be divided into several types and a certain classification can be created. This approach will allow us to pinpoint the factors and patterns of disease development," says one of the study's authors, Brent Williams, PhD, a pathologist and cell biologist from Columbia University.
Experts in the field believe that identifying the microorganisms that are thought to contribute to chronic fatigue syndrome could lead to the development of specific therapies. Targeting a specific type of bacteria could lead to a successful cure for the disease.
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