Blood test reveals chronic fatigue syndrome

Scientists from the University of East Anglia and Oxford BioDynamics have made an important breakthrough in medicine — they have developed a blood test capable of accurately diagnosing chronic fatigue syndrome, also known as myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME/CFS). This serious condition affects millions of people around the world, but until now there has been no reliable way to detect it.

The new test shows 96% accuracy, making it one of the most promising diagnostic tools for ME/CFS. The disease is manifested by constant debilitating fatigue, which does not go away even after rest, and is often accompanied by sleep disorders, pain, and cognitive difficulties. Many patients face misunderstandings and misdiagnoses, as objective laboratory criteria for the disease have not yet existed.

“We were able to create a blood test that objectively confirms the diagnosis,” says Professor Dmitry Pshezhetsky from the University of East Anglia Medical School. “This is a huge step forward: patients will finally be able to receive timely care and support, and doctors are a reliable tool for making a diagnosis.”

The test is based on EpiSwitch 3D Genomics technology developed by Oxford BioDynamics. Scientists have studied how the three-dimensional structure of DNA changes in people with ME/CFS. Unlike conventional genetic tests that analyze the sequence of genes, this method examines exactly how DNA is folded in cells. It turned out that patients with ME/CFS have a unique fold pattern that is not found in healthy people.

Dr. Alexander Akulitchev, Chief Scientific Officer of Oxford BioDynamics, explains: “This is not a congenital genetic disease. Epigenetic changes in the DNA structure occur throughout life, which is why our approach makes it possible to detect the disease with high accuracy.”

The analysis also revealed the activity of immune and inflammatory pathways associated with the disease, which opens up new opportunities for the development of personalized treatments. Scientists note that a similar approach can be applied to diagnose long-term COVID, which has similar mechanisms and symptoms.

“We hope that this test will become a routine tool in clinics,— says Professor Przezhetsky. “It will not only help to diagnose ME/CFS more accurately, but also tell you which biological processes can be used for therapy.”