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Separation of Immune Cell Subpopulations in Peripheral Blood Samples from Children with Infectious Mononucleosis
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Comparing ME/CFS following mononucleosis with Long COVID
Leonard A Jason1, Jacob Furst2, Ben Z Katz3
1The Center for Community Research, DePaul University, Chicago, IL, USA.
Chronic Illness
|April 15, 2026
Summary
Long COVID and Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS) share similarities as post-infectious illnesses. Long COVID symptom burden falls between moderate and severe ME/CFS cases.
Area of Science:
- Post-viral syndromes
- Infectious disease research
- Chronic illness studies
Background:
- Long COVID and Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS) are chronic illnesses following infections.
- The underlying mechanisms of ME/CFS post-infectious mononucleosis (IM) and Long COVID post-SARS-CoV-2 are not well understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare and contrast ME/CFS following IM with Long COVID following SARS-CoV-2 infection.
- To investigate somatic symptoms, coping strategies, psychological distress, and functional status in these post-viral conditions.
Main Methods:
- Studied ME/CFS development in college students after IM.
- Recruited a matched sample of SARS-CoV-2 infected individuals, including those with Long COVID.
- Compared symptom burden, coping, depression, anxiety, and function between groups.
Main Results:
- The symptom burden in Long COVID was generally less severe than in severe ME/CFS but more severe than in moderate ME/CFS.
- Somatic symptoms, coping strategies, depression, anxiety, and functional status were compared across the conditions.
Conclusions:
- Findings offer insights into the pathophysiologies of post-viral illnesses like ME/CFS and Long COVID.
- Understanding these conditions can aid in developing targeted diagnostic and therapeutic strategies.
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