Read the latest updates taken from the UK ME/CFS Biobank Newsletter:
The CureME team continues to make excellent progress on our HHV-6 study, which investigates the potential role of Human Herpesvirus 6 (HHV-6) in ME/CFS and Long Covid, and explores how viral activity, immune responses, and symptom changes may interact over time.
We are pleased to share that Aim 1 has now been completed. All longitudinal saliva samples have been collected, and Dr Lee has completed the measurement of human herpesviruses, including HSV-1, EBV, HHV-6B, and HHV-7, using digital PCR. Analysis of the Aim 1 data is now underway, supported by our new biostatistician, who has joined the team and is working on analysing these important datasets.
For Aim 2, recruitment and data collection have now been completed. This part of the study investigates whether changes in viral levels detected in saliva are associated with evidence of systemic viral reactivation and changes in immune responses.
We have also made substantial progress with Aim 3, which focuses on understanding HHV-6B-specific immune responses and how these may differ between people with ME/CFS, Long Covid, and healthy controls. Recruitment is now almost complete, with most participants having completed their initial study visits. Dr Lee has established and optimised the laboratory methods required for this stage, including setting up spectral flow cytometry to enable detailed investigation of immune cell responses. In addition, HHV-6B live virus culture has been established to support future peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) stimulation experiments.
After returning to the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine (LSHTM), Dr Lee has rebuilt and optimised the laboratory workflow to support the next phase of the study, enabling the team to carry out advanced immunological analyses.
We would like to thank all participants who have contributed their time, samples, and experiences to this important research. The combination of longitudinal viral measurements, detailed immune profiling, and participant-reported information will help us better understand whether and how HHV-6 activity may contribute to symptoms in ME/CFS and Long Covid.
We look forward to sharing further findings as the analyses progress.
The ME Association has supported the UK ME/CFS Biobank from the beginning. Since 2009 we have invested £1.1M in this vital resource and we will continue to cover annual running costs until at least the end of 2027.
More Information:
- Read more about the UK ME/CFS Biobank here.
- Read the minutes from the latest UK ME/CFS Biobank Steering Group meeting, September 2026
