Chronic Infections and Inflammation in ME/CFS: An Observational Study

CHIIME is an observational, prospective study of individuals who have myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS). The overall objective of the study is to investigate the clinical characteristics and biological signatures of ME/CFS over time by performing deep clinical phenotyping with high-quality biospecimen collection and curation of individuals with and without the condition.

Enrolled volunteers will be seen at San Francisco General Hospital. Visits include a detailed interview, biospecimen collection, and various assessments. No personal identifiers are used for specimen bank samples.

Inclusion criteria

• Willing and able to provide written informed consent
• At least 18 years of age
• Either: (1) a reported diagnosis of ME/CFS or (2) no history of ME/CFS or other infection-associated chronic conditions (healthy control)

Exclusion criteria

• Self reported or documented chronic anemia with hemoglobin <9 g/dL
• Known HIV, hepatitis B, or hepatitis C infection
• Diagnosis of an infection-associated chronic condition other than ME/CFS or Long COVID (e.g. chronic Lyme disease, post-Ebola syndrome, etc.)
• Serious medical or psychiatric illness that, in the opinion of the site investigator, would interfere with the ability to adhere to study requirements or to give informed consent
• Active drug or alcohol use or dependence that, in the opinion of the PI, would interfere with adherence to study requirements or to give informed consent