Chronic fatigue syndrome, also known as myalgic encephalomyelitis or ME/CFS, is a condition that affects millions of people worldwide, yet remains poorly understood.
People with ME/CFS often experience extreme tiredness that does not improve with rest, along with a wide range of neurological and physical symptoms.
Many patients struggle for years without clear answers, as there is no single test that can confirm the condition and its causes are still debated. A new pilot study now suggests that hidden infections may play a role for at least some patients.
In the study, researchers examined blood samples from 50 people who had long-lasting fatigue and neurological symptoms consistent with ME/CFS.
The results were striking. Nearly half of the participants showed evidence of infection with Bartonella, Babesia, or both. The findings were published in the journal Pathogens and add to growing interest in whether certain infections could trigger or worsen chronic illness.
Bartonella is a group of bacteria that are mainly spread by insects such as fleas and lice, and possibly ticks. Animals can also carry these bacteria in their blood and pass them to humans. One well-known species, Bartonella henselae, causes cat scratch disease.
This illness was once thought to be mild and short-lived, but newer research shows that Bartonella infections can sometimes last much longer and cause ongoing symptoms. Scientists have identified at least 45 Bartonella species, and 18 of them are known to infect humans.
Advances in testing have made it easier to detect Bartonella infections in both animals and people. As a result, doctors are finding these bacteria in patients with long-term symptoms that affect many parts of the body, including the brain and nervous system.
Some patients experience mood changes, memory problems, and other neurological or psychiatric symptoms that were not previously linked to infection.
Babesia is another group of bacteria that can infect humans. It is most commonly spread through tick bites, but there have also been cases where it was transmitted through blood transfusions, from mother to baby during pregnancy, or through organ transplants.
Babesia infects red blood cells and can cause symptoms such as fatigue, fever, headaches, and muscle pain. In some people, especially those with weakened immune systems, the infection can become long-lasting.
Babesia and Bartonella are often suspected to occur together, particularly in people who have been exposed to ticks or animals. They are also frequently discussed as possible co-infections in patients with Lyme disease. Previous research has already shown that people with chronic, unexplained illnesses sometimes test positive for both types of bacteria.
For this study, the researchers selected 50 participants from a larger group of 173 people who had chronic illness and frequent contact with animals. All participants reported fatigue lasting longer than six months, along with at least one neurological symptom.
These symptoms included memory problems, confusion, mood changes, sleep difficulties, headaches, tremors, seizures, hallucinations, and anxiety or panic attacks. Many of these symptoms are commonly reported by people with ME/CFS.
The researchers used advanced molecular techniques to search for bacterial DNA in blood samples. These methods allowed them to directly detect genetic material from the bacteria rather than relying on antibody tests, which can be influenced by many factors.
The results showed that 10 participants had Babesia infection, 11 had Bartonella infection, and two had evidence of both. In total, 23 out of 50 people tested positive for at least one of these infections.
The lead author of the study explained that ME/CFS is usually diagnosed based on symptoms and immune markers, which can be affected by many different conditions. The goal of this research was to look for direct molecular evidence of infection that might help explain why some patients remain ill for so long.
While the study was small and the findings cannot be applied to all people with ME/CFS, the unexpectedly high number of positive results suggests that these infections deserve closer attention.
When reviewing the findings, it is important to be cautious but open-minded. This study does not prove that Bartonella or Babesia cause ME/CFS. However, it provides evidence that these infections may contribute to chronic symptoms in some patients.
The results highlight the need for larger studies to confirm how common these infections are in people with ME/CFS and whether treating them could improve symptoms.
For patients who have struggled for years without clear explanations, this research offers a possible new direction and raises hope that hidden infections may one day be better understood and addressed.
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The study is published in Pathogens.
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