Review Predisposing and Precipitating Factors in Epstein–Barr Virus-Caused ME/CFS, 2025, Leonard Jason

Full title:
Predisposing and Precipitating Factors in Epstein–Barr Virus-Caused Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2607/13/4/702

Abstract
Long COVID following SARS-CoV-2 and Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS) following infectious mononucleosis (IM) are two examples of post-viral syndromes.

The identification of risk factors predisposing patients to developing and maintaining post-infectious syndromes may help uncover their underlying mechanisms.

The majority of patients with ME/CFS report infectious illnesses before the onset of ME/CFS, with 30% of cases of ME/CFS due to IM caused by the Epstein–Barr virus.

After developing IM, one study found 11% of adults had ME/CFS at 6 months and 9% had ME/CFS at 1 year. Another study of adolescents found 13% and 7% with ME/CFS at 6 and 12 months following IM, respectively.

However, it is unclear which variables are potential risk factors contributing to the development and maintenance of ME/CFS following IM, because few prospective studies have collected baseline data before the onset of the triggering illness.

The current article provides an overview of a study that included pre-illness predictors of ME/CFS development following IM in a diverse group of college students who were enrolled before the onset of IM.

Our data set included an ethnically and sociodemographically diverse group of young adult students, and we were able to longitudinally follow these youths over time to better understand the risk factors associated with the pathophysiology of ME/CFS.

General screens of health and psychological well-being, as well as blood samples, were obtained at three stages of the study (Stage 1—Baseline—when the students were well, at least 6 weeks before the student developed IM; Stage 2—within 6 weeks following the diagnosis of IM, and Stage 3—six months after IM, when they had either developed ME/CFS or recovered).

We focused on the risk factors for new cases of ME/CFS following IM and found factors both at baseline (Stage 1) and at the time of IM (Stage 2) that predicted nonrecovery.

We are now collecting seven-year follow-up data on this sample, as well as including cases of long COVID. The lessons learned in this prospective study are reviewed.

 

Baseline metabolomic predictors between recovered and severe ME/CFS:

I'm not sure why the listed metabolites are different from the metabolites in Table 1, which are:

 

I believe you’re correct.

They say this:

 

They used Fukuda, CCC, and IOM. Severe ME/CFS meant someone met more than one of those criteria. So I’m assuming those who met just one is mostly Fukuda.

 

I don't have it in me to read these thoroughly right now, but I'm curious why this paper says IL-5 and IL-13 were lower, while the previous paper on the same cohort says IL-6 and IL-13 were lower.

Risks for Developing ME/CFS in College Students Following Infectious Mononucleosis: A Prospective Cohort Study, 2020, Jason et al

 

Am I correct in saying that this ‘review’ is mostly just a summary of their previous work?

 

Appears that way, plus some information about what they plan in the future (e.g. study cohort in relation to long COVID).