2. Genetic markers

• Gene expression in peripheral blood mononuclear cells from patients with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
  N. Kaushik, D. Fear, SCM. Richards, CR. McDermott, EF. Nuwaysir, P. Kellam, TJ. Harrison, RJ. Wilkinson, DA. Tyrell, ST. Holgate and JR. Kerr
  Journal of Clinical Pathology, 2005 ; 58: 826-832
  
  

• Genetic Marker - HLA DR 1501
  ' Of particular note is the high incidence of a genetic marker called HLA DR 1501 in my fatigue sufferer population. This genetic marker is four times more prevalent in my patient group than it is in a normal background population. This marker is also present in almost every patient with another fatigue condition known as narcolepsy, which is a brain disorder that results in excessive daytime sleepiness, as well as in other symptomatology. This finding of an increased prevalence of HLA DR 1501 in my CFS population suggests that some of these patients might also have narcolepsy, or a variant thereof. Alternatively, this marker may point not only to a genetic predisposition to narcolepsy, but perhaps to CFS as well. '
  Dr John Whiting, Dr Philip Stowell and Dr Gary Deed, Newcastle University, Australia.
  
  

• Dr. Paul Cheney, North Carolina, research paper presented to the AACFS 5th International Research, Clinical and Patient Conference, 2001 " All chronic diseases studied including ME / CFS show prominent circulating plasma RNA's not observed in normal controls. Prominent RNA bands so far sequenced show homology with human genes which are noted for their tendency for gene rearrangment under severe physiologic stress. The sequences appear to be disease specific, arying by less than 1% between individuals with similar illness. Gene probes may therefore provide novel diagnostic and treatment possibilities."
  
  

• Polygenic Contributions of Procoagulant Genetic Factors in Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Related Chronic Illnesses
  Genetics in Medicine (2002)