U.S. FUNDING FOR STUDY LINKING ROSS RIVER VIRUS AND OTHER INFECTIONS TO CHRONIC FATIGUE

The American-based Centers for Disease Control has announced funding of US$1.5 million for UNSW research that shows that simple viral infections, such as glandular fever, can lead to long-term health problems such as chronic fatigue.

The research, by Associate Professor Andrew Lloyd and Professor Denis Wakefield of the Department of Pathology and Professor Ian Hickie of the School of Psychiatry, looks at the long-term effects of infections such as Epstein-Barr virus (the cause of glandular fever), Ross River virus (the mosquito-borne infection which causes rash and joint pain) and Q fever (an infection common in meatworkers and those exposed to livestock).

"From our study in which is based in Dubbo, NSW we have already found that lingering symptoms after infection are relatively common," Professor Lloyd said. "Twenty to 30 per cent of people continue to have prominent fatigue, pain and other symptoms for up to three months, while five to 10 per cent of people have disabling symptoms for six months or more."

The researchers are examining whether the post-infection fatigue syndrome is caused by the persistence of the microbe, a weakened immune system, psychological vulnerability, or a combination of all three.

"The CDC is charged with troubleshooting infectious diseases in the US and globally. Their brief includes looking at the incidence of chronic fatigue syndrome, hence our three year funding," Professor Lloyd said.

"Until now the study has been funded by the Australian Rotary Health Research Fund for the Ross River virus component; the Meat and Livestock Association has funded the Q fever research; and two NHMRC grants. This new international funding is a real indication of how far the study has come since its beginnings in 1997."

The CDC contribution to the project will equal approximately A$958, 289 per year. The CDC is providing 82 per cent of the project's total funding, the rest is provided by two NHMRC grants.

CONTACT DETAILS: Associate Professor Andrew Lloyd or Ms Melissa Thomas (Admin. Officer), Department of Pathology, tel. 9385 2534, or Victoria Collins, Public Affairs and Development, tel. 9385 3644, email v.collins@unsw.edu.au

For more information on Chronic Fatigue Syndrome contact the ME Chronic Fatigue Society, tel. 9662 3488 or http://www.zip.com.au/~mesoc