| Abstrakt: |
Reports on conditions of chronic fatigue associated with other somatopsychic symptoms after acute viral infections have led to the hypothesis of a 'chronic fatigue syndrome' (CFS). Historical disease descriptions, like e.g. 'myalgic encephalomyelitits', were updated by means of modern virological diagnostic techniques and data analysis. Several viral agents like enteroviruses, Epstein-Barr virus, Human-Herpesvirus 6 and other herpesviruses have been implicated for possible underlying infections. A preliminary disease definition by the Center for Disease Control (CDC) seeks to provide a rational basis for further etiological studies. In fact, there is growing consensus that the syndrome comprises various separate disease entities and causative agents. Today we can tentatively differentiate a 'chronic mononucleosis' after infection with Epstein-Barr virus, an etiologically undetermined 'postviral fatigue syndrome' and a fatigue syndrome of the myalgic type after Coxsackie-B virus infection. Furthermore, a valid diagnosis of CFS must be based on the exclusion of defined other diseases and the awareness of dealing with a hypothetical concept. As a result, current knowledge does not yet allow specific therapeutic recommendations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
