Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 28, 2026
09:38
Determining Immune System Suppression versus CNS Protection for Pharmacological Interventions in Autoimmune Demyelination
Published on: September 12, 2016
Fibromyalgia and parvovirus infection
L J Leventhal1, S J Naides, B Freundlich
1Department of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Philadelphia.
Arthritis and Rheumatism
|October 1, 1991
Summary
Fibromyalgia (FM) may have an infectious origin, as suggested by three patients who developed FM after parvovirus B19 infection. Further research into viral triggers for FM is recommended.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Immunology
- Neurology
Background:
- Fibromyalgia (FM) shares similarities with chronic fatigue syndrome, prompting investigation into potential infectious etiologies.
- The hypothesis of an infectious cause for FM is explored, drawing parallels with other conditions like chronic fatigue syndrome.
Observation:
- Three patients presented with FM symptoms following confirmed acute parvovirus B19 infections.
- Diagnostic tests revealed positive IgM and IgG parvovirus B19 antibody titers in all three patients approximately one month after symptom onset.
- All three individuals met the established diagnostic criteria for fibromyalgia.
Findings:
- Polysomnography in two patients indicated significant alpha-wave intrusion during non-rapid eye movement sleep.
- The study observed a temporal association between parvovirus B19 infection and the onset of fibromyalgia symptoms.
Implications:
- These findings suggest that parvovirus B19 may be a potential trigger for fibromyalgia in susceptible individuals.
- A targeted search for viral infections, particularly parvovirus B19, is warranted in FM patients presenting with preceding flu-like illnesses.
- This research opens avenues for exploring viral pathogenesis in fibromyalgia and related conditions.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
01:20Chickenpox
Chickenpox is an acute, highly contagious disease caused by the varicella-zoster virus (VZV), a double-stranded DNA virus belonging to the Herpesviridae family. Its transmission occurs primarily through the inhalation of respiratory droplets or direct contact with vesicular fluid from skin lesions. The incubation period typically ranges from 10 to 21 days, during which the virus replicates and disseminates through sequential phases within the host. Although generally self-limiting in children,...
01:18Viral Meningitis
Viral meningitis is the most common form of meningitis and is often referred to as aseptic meningitis to indicate the absence of bacterial involvement. It is generally milder than bacterial meningitis, with symptoms including fever, headache, stiff neck, drowsiness, nausea, photophobia, and vomiting. Rarely, more severe manifestations or death may occur. Common causative agents include enteroviruses, particularly coxsackie A and B viruses and echoviruses, all members of the Enterovirus genus...
01:17Poliomyelitis
Poliomyelitis is caused by poliovirus, a small, non-enveloped, positive-sense RNA virus of the Picornaviridae family and Enterovirus genus. Transmission occurs primarily via the fecal-oral route, often through ingestion of contaminated water or food. The virus initially replicates in the oropharynx and intestinal mucosa, particularly in lymphoid tissues such as the tonsils, Peyer’s patches, and regional lymph nodes. Primary viremia follows, allowing dissemination throughout the body.In most...
01:27Cytomegalovirus Disease
Cytomegalovirus (CMV) disease is caused by human cytomegalovirus, a double-stranded DNA virus of the Herpesviridae family. While primary CMV infection is often asymptomatic in immunocompetent individuals, the virus can cause severe disease in neonates and immunocompromised patients. CMV is the most common cause of congenital viral infection in the United States, and a major pathogen in solid organ and hematopoietic stem cell transplant recipients.CMV is transmitted via bodily fluids, sexual...
01:19Encephalitis l: Introduction
Encephalitis is inflammation of the brain parenchyma, most often due to infections or autoimmune processes. It presents with neuropsychiatric features such as fever, altered mental status, behavioral changes, cognitive dysfunction, seizures, focal deficits, and sometimes autonomic instability. In some cases, the meninges are also involved, resulting in meningoencephalitis.Infectious CausesInfectious encephalitis is most commonly viral but can also result from bacterial, fungal, or parasitic...
01:21Acute Pancreatitis II: Pathophysiology
The pathophysiology of acute pancreatitis centers on injury to pancreatic acinar cells, which initiates a cascade of harmful intracellular events.This injury leads to premature activation of trypsinogen to trypsin in the pancreas. Trypsin then activates other digestive enzymes, such as chymotrypsin, elastase, and phospholipase A2, which begin breaking down pancreatic tissue. The resulting autodigestion causes local inflammation, tissue swelling, hemorrhage, and fat necrosis.Injured acinar cells...