ME/CFS Blood Test Shows 96% Accuracy in New Study | Technology Networks
Scientists at the University of East Anglia (UEA) and Oxford BioDynamics have developed a groundbreaking blood test that can diagnose Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS)—also known as Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME)—with an impressive 96% accuracy rate.
This chronic illness, which causes severe, long-term fatigue and affects millions of people worldwide (including over 400,000 in the UK), has long puzzled doctors due to the lack of a reliable diagnostic tool. Patients often struggle for years without a clear diagnosis, sometimes being told their symptoms are “all in their head.”
But that may soon change.
A Game-Changing Discovery
Lead researcher Prof. Dmitry Pshezhetskiy from UEA’s Norwich Medical School explained,
“ME/CFS is a serious, often disabling illness. For the first time, we’ve created a simple and accurate blood test that can confirm a diagnosis, helping patients get the support and treatment they need much earlier.”
Interestingly, this breakthrough could also pave the way for a similar test to diagnose long COVID, as both conditions share many overlapping symptoms.
How the Test Works
The research team used EpiSwitch 3D Genomics technology from Oxford BioDynamics to study how DNA folds inside blood cells. While our genetic code (DNA) is fixed, the way it folds and interacts—called epigenetics—can change throughout life and affect how genes function.
By comparing blood samples from 47 people with severe ME/CFS and 61 healthy volunteers, researchers discovered a unique 3D DNA pattern that consistently appeared in patients but not in healthy individuals.
Dr. Alexandre Akoulitchev, Chief Scientific Officer at Oxford BioDynamics, said,
“Chronic fatigue syndrome isn’t something you’re born with. Using epigenetic markers allowed us to detect it with remarkable precision. Our EpiSwitch platform has already proven reliable in diagnosing other diseases like ALS, rheumatoid arthritis, and prostate cancer.”
The test achieved 92% sensitivity (correctly identifying patients with ME/CFS) and 98% specificity (correctly identifying those without it).
Why This Matters
Beyond diagnosis, the research also revealed important insights into the disease’s biological roots—especially immune system and inflammation pathways. This could help doctors develop targeted treatments and predict which patients might respond best to specific therapies.
Prof. Pshezhetskiy added,
“This is a major step forward. The EpiSwitch CFS test could soon become a vital tool for clinicians, transforming how we diagnose and manage this misunderstood illness.”
The findings were published in the Journal of Translational Medicine and involved collaboration between UEA, Oxford BioDynamics, The London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, and Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS Trust.
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