Changes in Gut and Plasma Microbiome following Exercise Challenge in Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS)

• DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0145453
• Publication Date: 2015-12-18T13:39:29Z
• Authors: Sanjay K. Shukla; Dane Cook; Jacob Meyer; Suzanne D. Vernon; Thao Le; Derek Clevidence; Charles E. Robertson; Steven J. Schrodi; Steven Yale; Daniel N. Frank
• Keywords: Dysbiosis; Malaise; Exertion; Chronic Fatigue; Encephalomyelitis

Myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) is a disease characterized by intense and debilitating not due to physical activity that has persisted for at least 6 months, post-exertional malaise, unrefreshing sleep, accompanied number of secondary symptoms, including sore throat, memory concentration impairment, headache, muscle/joint pain. In patients with significant worsening symptoms occurs following exertion exercise challenge serves as useful method identifying biomarkers intolerance. Evidence suggests intestinal dysbiosis systemic responses gut microorganisms may play role in the symptomology ME/CFS. As such, we hypothesized post-exertion ME/CFS could be increased bacterial translocation from intestine into circulation. To test this hypothesis, collected symptom reports blood stool samples ten clinically matched healthy controls before 15 minutes, 48 hours, 72 hours after maximal challenge. Microbiomes were examined. Stool sample microbiomes differed between abundance several major phyla. Following challenge, there was an increase relative 9 phyla/genera baseline post-exercise compared only 2 (p = 0.005). There also difference clearance specific phyla high levels sequences maintained versus controls. These results provide evidence effect altered microbiome Upon changes observed addition, bacteria delayed exercise. findings suggest account profound malaise experienced patients.