Scientists Announce First Potentially Accurate Blood Test for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Published: 08 October 2025. The English Chronicle Online.

In a groundbreaking development, scientists from the University of East Anglia (UEA) and Oxford Biodynamics (OBD) have announced the creation of what may be the world’s first blood test capable of diagnosing myalgic encephalomyelitis, more commonly known as chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS). The condition, which affects tens of thousands in the UK alone, has historically lacked a definitive diagnostic test, leaving patients to rely on symptom reporting and clinical judgment, often resulting in years of misdiagnosis or delayed recognition.

Prof Dmitry Pshezhetskiy, lead researcher from UEA’s Norwich Medical School, described the significance of the discovery. “ME/CFS is a serious and often disabling illness characterised by extreme fatigue that is not relieved by rest. We know that some patients report being ignored or even told that their illness is ‘all in their head’. With no definitive tests, many patients have gone undiagnosed or misdiagnosed for years. We wanted to see if we could develop a blood test to diagnose the condition – and we did. Our discovery offers the potential for a simple, accurate blood test to help confirm a diagnosis, which could lead to earlier support and more effective management.”

The research focused on epigenetic markers, specifically the way DNA is folded in patients with ME/CFS. The study examined blood samples from 47 individuals diagnosed with severe ME/CFS and 61 healthy adults. Scientists identified a distinctive pattern present consistently among the patients but absent in healthy controls. This breakthrough allowed the team to develop a test that, according to their publication in the Journal of Translational Medicine, demonstrates a sensitivity of 92% — meaning it correctly identifies 92% of individuals with the condition — and a specificity of 98%, correctly ruling out those without it.

Alexandre Akoulitchev, chief scientific officer at OBD, highlighted the importance of epigenetic markers. “Chronic fatigue syndrome is not a genetic disease you’re born with, that’s why using EpiSwitch ‘epigenetic’ markers — which can change during a person’s life, unlike fixed genetic code — was key to reaching this high level of accuracy.”

The potential for a reliable diagnostic blood test is being hailed as a significant step forward for patients and healthcare providers alike. ME/CFS is characterised by debilitating fatigue, post-exertional malaise, cognitive difficulties, and a variety of other symptoms that severely impact quality of life. The absence of a straightforward diagnostic tool has long posed challenges for both early detection and effective management.

Despite the excitement, some experts urge caution and stress the need for further validation. Dr Charles Shepherd, medical adviser for the ME Association, acknowledged the progress while noting that additional research is essential. “These results, using epigenetic profiling, appear to be an important step forward in the search for a diagnostic blood test. However, a diagnostic blood test has to be both highly sensitive and specific to that condition. We need to know whether the abnormality is consistently present in the very early stages of ME/CFS as well as in people with longstanding disease who have mild or moderate ME/CFS. We also need to ensure it is not present in other chronic inflammatory and autoimmune diseases that can mimic ME/CFS symptoms.”

Prof Chris Ponting, chair of medical bioinformatics at the University of Edinburgh, echoed these concerns, warning that some of the claims may be premature. “This test needs to be fully validated in better-designed and independent studies before it is considered for clinical application. Even if validated, the test will be expensive, likely around £1,000.”

Nonetheless, the research represents a crucial step toward addressing the long-standing challenges faced by ME/CFS patients. Currently, diagnosis relies on clinical evaluation, patient history, and the exclusion of other potential causes, which can delay appropriate treatment and support. A reliable blood test could transform patient care, allowing clinicians to confirm diagnoses quickly and initiate targeted interventions much earlier.

The study underscores the growing role of epigenetics in medical diagnostics. By analyzing chemical modifications and structural changes in DNA, scientists are uncovering ways to detect complex diseases that traditional genetic tests cannot identify. For ME/CFS, these insights may pave the way for a more objective, scientifically grounded diagnostic approach, providing hope to patients who have often struggled with disbelief and stigma regarding their condition.

While the test is not yet ready for routine clinical use, the discovery signals a major advancement in understanding ME/CFS and offers optimism for future research into treatments and disease management strategies. Experts agree that continued investigation, larger patient cohorts, and independent validation will be crucial before the test can be widely adopted.

For patients, healthcare providers, and researchers alike, the potential of a diagnostic blood test marks a pivotal moment in the ongoing effort to recognize and treat one of the most misunderstood and debilitating chronic illnesses. The coming months and years will determine whether this scientific breakthrough can translate into real-world clinical practice, ultimately improving the lives of those affected by ME/CFS.