May 10, 2012: All in the mind? Why critics are wrong to deny the existence of chronic fatigue (Daily Mail Online)
Daily Mail Online
May 10, 2012: Brenu, et al., Longitudinal investigation of natural killer cells and cytokines in chronic fatigue syndrome/myalgic encephalomyelitis (Journal of Translational Medicine)
View abstract...
April 18, 2012: Annette Whittemore & Dr. Ken Hunter on Nevada Newsmakers
View video...
April 11, 2012: Whittemore Peterson Institute and the University of Nevada School of Medicine's Student Outreach Clinic Celebrate National Women's Health Week
WPI Press Release [PDF]
February 24, 2012: The Whittemore Peterson Institute joins all Nevadans today in mourning the passing of Senator Bill Raggio.
view more...
Senator Raggio was a tireless supporter of education, and particularly Nevada’s university system. He was instrumental in the success of the School of Medicine, and played a key role in making WPI and the Center for Molecular Medicine possible.
"Bill Raggio was a tremendous legislator, statesman and leader," said WPI President & CEO Annette Whittemore, "but more than that he was a dear friend who always cared about people more than politics. All of us in the WPI family will greatly miss him and his friendship. Our hearts go out to his beloved wife Dale, and his daughters Leslie and Tracy and their families. We know they can take solace in Bill’s legacy of public service, and of a life well lived."
After his election to the Nevada State Senate in 1972, and for 38 years after that, Senator Raggio championed countless healthcare issues for Nevada. He supported early screening and detection of disease, and efforts to address the shortage of nurses and physicians in Nevada. His support of the state’s education system is evident in everything from a comprehensive testing program in K-12 grades to his lasting efforts to create a strong and vital higher education system for Nevada.
January 18, 2012: Differences in metabolite-detecting, adrenergic, and immune gene expression after moderate exercise in patients with chronic fatigue syndrome, patients with multiple sclerosis, and healthy controls. (pubmed.gov)
View abstract...
July-December 2011 [open/close...]
December 20, 2011: Congress approves $10 million for Gulf War illness research (USA Today)
USA Today
December 18, 2011: Whittemore Peterson Institute vows to get past setbacks (Reno Gazette-Journal)
Reno Gazette-Journal
December 18, 2011: Chronic fatigue syndrome tough to pin down (Reno Gazette-Journal)
Reno Gazette-Journal
December 14, 2011: IACFS/ME Biennial International Conference Ottawa, Ontario, Canada - Abstracts from General Session, September 23, 2011
view more...
December 12, 2011: Bulletin of the IACFS/ME - Reporting of Harms Associated with Graded Exercise Therapy and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy in Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
view more...
October 26, 2011: Annette Whittemore on Nevada NewsMakers
View video...
October 26, 2011: WPI Newsletter, Fall 2011
View document...
October 19, 2011: A letter from Annette Whittemore
View document [PDF]
September 8, 2011: WPI Video for 2011 Vivint win
View video...
September 7, 2011: Utah's Vivint awards $1.25 million to charities (Salt Lake City Tribune)
Salt Lake City Tribune
September 1, 2011: "MECFS Alert" Episode 5 with Dr. Vince Lombardi
View Episode 5
August 30, 2011: Annette Whittemore on Nevada NewsMakers
View more...
August 8, 2011: NYAS eBriefing: Pathogens in the Blood Supply
View more...
August 8, 2011: "MECFS Alert" Episode 4 with Annette Whittemore
View Episode 4
August 1, 2011: Clinic Opening with Dr. Fredericks
View document [PDF]
July 28, 2011: IACFS/ME Conference September 22-25, 2011 in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
View more...
July 25, 2011: Myalgic Encephalomyelitis: International Consensus Criteria
View document [PDF]
July 7, 2011: "MECFS Alert" with Llewellyn King
View Episode 1, Part 1...
View Episode 1, Part 2...
July 4, 2011: Donor Fatigue: Should Blood Banks Reject Chronic Fatigue Sufferers?
Scientific American
January-June 2011 [open/close...]
June 29, 2011: W. Ian Lipkin Presentation "Microbe Hunting" at WPI on 6/24/11
View video...
June 23, 2011: Dr. Mikovits interview about XMRV in Belgium
View video...
June 20, 2011: Annette Whittemore on Nevada NewsMakers
View more...
June 14, 2011: W. Ian Lipkin M.D. to speak at WPI
WPI Press Release [PDF]
Trans-NIH ME/CFS Research Working Group - FAQs
June 6, 2011: Qiu, et al., Prevalence of XMRV in blood donors, HTLV and HIV cohorts
Retrovirology
June 3, 2011: Presentation from Belfast with Dr. Judy Mikovits on May 22, 2011
View document [PDF]
Note: this presentation cannot be reproduced or sent to anyone without written consent of the WPI.
June 2, 2011: Walk N Roll - Sparks Tribune May 2011
Sparks Tribune
May 31, 2011: WPI Response to Science Magazine
WPI Press Release [PDF]
May 31, 2011: WPI Letter to Science Magazine
View document [PDF]
May 30, 2011: Brenu, et al., Immunological abnormalities as potential biomarkers in Chronic Fatigue Syndrome/Myalgic Encephalomyelitis
Journal of Translational Medicine
(Note: List members can download the full study at: http://bit.ly/mchhhp)
May 23, 2011: WPI may receive up to $500,000
View document [PDF]
May 20, 2011: 2011 I Hope You Dance 7th Annual WPI Fundraising Gala
Save the date: Thursday, September 15, 2010, Atlantis Casino Resort Spa, Reno, Nevada
View document [PDF]
May 16, 2011: Lombardi, et al., Xenotropic Murine Leukemia Virus-related Virus-associated Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Reveals a Distinct Inflammatory Signature
View abstract at In Vivo...
(Note: To view the entire article you must register with In Vivo.)
May 16, 2011: WPI Sponsors 1st Annual Neuro-Immune Disease Awareness Month
WPI Press Release [PDF]
May 11, 2011: Walk for May Awareness Saturday, May 28th
View document [PDF]
View more...
Please join us on Saturday, May 28th for our first annual "Walk N Roll." Download the registration and payment form below and submit before May 25th. You can also register the day of the walk. Fill out the form and email back to abeard@wpinstitute.org, or fax to 775-682-8258 or mail to WPI 1664 N. Virginia St. MS 0552 Reno, NV 89557.
You will receive your "Advocates 4 Answers" t-shirt, WPI bumper sticker and raffle ticket on walk day during registration which begins at 9:30 am.
1/2 mile or 1 mile walk available. Walk begins at 10 am in the roundabout at WPI. Click here for campus map.
$20 per person and children under 12 may participate at no charge.
Click here for Walk N Roll registration & payment form.
May 9, 2011: WPI Response to Recent Study
View document [PDF]
April 21, 2011: NV Energy Foundation approves grant for Whittemore Peterson Institute
WPI Press Release [PDF]
April 17, 2011: Today we lost an extraordinary man
The Whittemore Family would like to extend their deepest condolences to Milt Glick's wife Peggy and children for their loss of their loving and extraordinary husband and father. He was instrumental to the University of Nevada and the Whittemore Peterson Institute. He was a wonderful person and great friend to all of us. He will be deeply missed.
April 13, 2011: Please help WPI help millions by voting for us at Chase Community Giving
[Voting is now complete. Thank you.]
April 5, 2011: Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: Lives Interrupted by Llewellyn King
White House Chronicle
March 24, 2011: WPI New Director of Translational Research
View document [PDF]
March 23, 2011: WPI Invites you to join us for Neuro-Immune Disease Awareness Month this May.
View document [PDF]
March 23, 2011: Scientists Seeking Biological Causes of CFS (FOX News)
View more...
March 18, 2011: Journal of Urology - 3 XMRV Papers:
XMRV infection induces regulation genes
Journal of Urology, Vol. 185, Issue 4, Supplement, Page e113, April 2011
View paper
XMRV/MLV found in Japanese prostate cancer patients
Journal of Urology, Vol. 185, Issue 4, Supplement , Page e510, April 2011
View paper
XMRV Is present in malignant prostate tissue
Journal of Urology, Vol. 185, Issue 4, Supplement, Page e584, April 2011
View paper
March 8, 2011: NY Town Becomes Chronic Fatigue Laboratory (Wall Street Journal)
Wall Street Journal
March 3, 2011: Dr. Mikovits Responds to Paper (#91LB) presented at 18th Conference on Retroviruses and Opportunistic Infections (CROI)
View response
View abstract
Dr. Mikovits: This latest study concerns the potential origin of XMRV. It is interesting that infectious XMRV is still found only in human cells and not in mouse cells or mice. In addition, these data have little to say about XMRV infection in humans."
March 1, 2011: WPI Response to UK Pace Trials
View document [PDF]
February 16, 2011: Dr. Mikovits Community Presentation from Gordon Medical on January 17, 2011
View more...
January 4, 2011: Retroviral integration and the XMRV provirus
Virology Blog
January 4, 2011: Exhausted by Illness, and Doubts (New York Times)
New York Times
January 4, 2011: XMRV: A Human Retrovirus with Unknown Pathogenic Potential, Not a Lab Contaminant
View document [PDF]
January 4, 2011: Uncertainty Dogs Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (Seattle Times)
Seattle Times
July-December 2010 [open/close...]
December 27, 2010: Gift of Life (ABC News)
ABC News/Good Morning America
December 27, 2010: Seattle Blood Centers Ban Chronic Fatigue Patients from Donating Blood
KING5/Seattle
December 22, 2010: Annette Whittemore and Dr. Judy Mikovits on Nevada NewsMakers
View more...
December 22, 2010: XMRV and CFS - "It's Not The End"
Virology Blog
December 20, 2010: WPI Statement Regarding Retrovirology Article
View document [PDF]
December 13, 2010: European ME Alliance (EMEA) calls for Europe-wide ban on blood donation from ME/CFS patients
Biomed Middle East
This article has been archived by the publication. To read the article please contact the publication about their purchasing requirements.
December 10, 2010: Please Donate to the WPI This Holiday Season
View document [PDF]
December 3, 2010: "Red Cross bars chronic fatigue patients from donating blood"
The Washington Post
December 2, 2010: "Validation in a Virus"
Newsweek (November 28, 2010)
December 1, 2010: Dr. Judy Mikovits will be speaking at the Emerging Infectious Diseases & Microbiology Discussion Group at the New York Academy of Sciences, on the subject of ‘Pathogens in the Blood supply’
View document [PDF]
View more...
November 29, 2010: Dr. Judy Mikovits will be attending the Blood Products Advisory Committee, 99th Meeting as a WPI representative
View more...
November 29, 2010: WPI available on YouTube
View more...
October 11, 2010: The Whittemore Peterson Institute would like your help in nominating us for the American Express Members Project.
[read details...]
Please take the time to write in by clicking on the "Electronic Nomination Form" link below. While we are encouraging our patients to speak from the heart in the comment section of the electronic nomination form, we know some will want a specific suggestion as to what to say. Please feel free to cut and paste the copy below to help nominate us. If you have any questions please do not hesitate to email us at info@wpinstitute.org.
The Whittemore Peterson Institute is a non-profit institution whose mission is to serve the millions around the world who suffer from chronic inflammatory neuroimmune diseases such as Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic fatigue syndrome or ME/CFS, fibromyalgia, gulf war syndrome, autism and other similarly presenting illnesses. WPI's current activities include the development of a comprehensive medical research program, educating the public and medical professionals on the most recent advances, while continuing to seek federal medical research funding on behalf of all those who suffer from these debilitating diseases.
As a patient centered organization, WPI supports the search for effective treatments and the prevention of neuroimmune diseases. To accomplish the goal of rapid translation from its basic and clinical research to the medical profession, WPI has created collaborative networks among academic, scientific and medical institutions while continuing to engage with other major health related companies. In August, the Whittemore Peterson Institute for Neuro-Immune Disease (WPI), 501(c)3 corporation, celebrated the opening of a new $77 million dollar clinical research facility at the University of Nevada medical school in Reno, Nevada of which they are an integral part. They are the first institute in the world to integrate research, education and soon, medical treatment of neuro-immune diseases, such as Myalgic Encephalomyelitis / Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Fibromyalgia. Even before the official grand opening, they made a break-through discovery that has provided hope to millions of people worldwide who suffer from Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, (CFS), an often seriously-debilitating disorder that profoundly impairs a person's ability to hold a job, care for their families and even continue taking care of their most basic needs. Many become home bound and isolated from their friends and family due to the loss of physical stamina and other debilitating symptoms. WPI's discovery of the strong association between the third human retrovirus (XMRV) and those with CFS and other similar neuro-immune diseases, has significant implications for potential treatment of millions in the U.S. and around the world as well and preventing disease of millions more. Although this institute is located in Nevada, the WPI and its collaborators have already made a significant impact in this field through their active participation at the first International XMRV workshop and commitment to the blood safety working groups of Canada and the United States.
For more information, see these links:
Members Project: http://www.takepart.com/membersproject
Electronic Nomination Form: http://www.takepart.com/membersproject/vote/nominate
Press Release about the AMEX / TakePart project: http://about.americanexpress.com/news/pr/2010/mp10.aspx
October 8, 2010: XMRV/MLV seminar with Dr. Judy Mikovits, 28th of November, 2010, Oslo, Norway
European Society for ME
This article has been archived by the publication. To read the article please contact the publication about their purchasing requirements.
October 8, 2010: XMRV: Virological, immunological and clinical correlations in patients
with Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia and Mantle Cell Lymphoma
View document [PDF]
September 23, 2010: 1st International Workshop on XMRV: Abstracts in Reviews in Antiviral Therapy & Infectious Diseases 2010_8.
View abstracts...
September 21, 2010: "The Awful Disease Washington Forgot" by Llewellyn King
View more...
September 17, 2010: WPI Vice-President Mike Hillerby and Dr. Vincent Lombardi in a discussion of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome research at the Institute
KUNR NV Newsline
September 17, 2010: Distribution of Xenotropic Murine Leukemia Virus-Related Virus (XMRV) Infection in Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Prostate Cancer
View abstract...
September 16, 2010: Study shows ME/CFS 'virus link' found in children
View more...
September 7, 2010: 1st International Workshop on XMRV: Q&A Wrap-up Session (Webcast)
Wednesday, September 8, 5:15 PM EDT / 11:15 AM CET
Webcast info...
General info...
September 7, 2010: Age of Autism, "The Whittemore-Peterson Institute - A Light in the Darkness (XMRV Update!!!)"
View more...
August 31, 2010: Viruses Found in Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Patients - National Institute of Health (NIH Research Matters, August 30, 2010)
View more...
August 30, 2010: I Hope You Dance Press Release
WPI Press Release [PDF]
August 30, 2010: ME/CFS Worldwide Patient Alliance Thank You Letter
View document [PDF]
August 24, 2010: New studies confirm Whittemore-Peterson Institute findings
KRNV, Reno
August 23, 2010: Study: Presence of Murine Leukemia Virus Related Gene Sequences Found in CFS Patients
PR Newswire
Positive replication study confirms WPI's findings (WPI Statement on XMRV/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome)
(WPI Press Release, August 23, 2010)
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences USA (PNAS) article: Shyh-Ching Lo, Natalia Pripuzova, Bingjie Li, Anthony L. Komaroff, Guo-Chiuan Hung, Richard Wang, and Harvey J. Alter, Detection of MLV-related virus gene sequences in blood of patients with chronic fatigue syndrome and healthy blood donors
(PNAS published ahead of print August 23, 2010, doi:10.1073/pnas.1006901107)
FDA Press Briefing on PNAS Publication (August 23, 2010)
Click below to listen to briefing...
View transcript...
WPI congratulates Alter and Lo
(YouTube, August 23, 2010)
Judy Mikovits reacts to the Lo/Alter paper
(YouTube, August 23, 2010)
Study Links Chronic Fatigue to Virus Class
(New York Times, August 23, 2010)
Study Finds Retroviruses in Chronic Fatigue Sufferers
(Wall Street Journal, August 23, 2010)
New evidence that virus may cause chronic fatigue
(Washington Post, August 23, 2010)
August 21, 2010: 6th Annual I Hope You Dance WPI Fundraising Gala
Friday, September 10, 2010, Peppermill Resort Casino, Reno, Nevada
View more...
August 17, 2010: Hopes Soar for Research Center
Reno Gazette-Journal
This article has been archived by the publication. To read the article please contact the publication about their purchasing requirements.
August 17, 2010: UNR President Milton Glick discussing opening Whittemore Peterson Institute
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August 16, 2010: Center for Molecular Medicine opens at UNR
KRNV, Reno
August 16, 2010: Whittemore Peterson Institute Celebrates Formal Dedication of New Building
WPI Press Release [PDF]
August 16, 2010: Annette Whittemore and Andrea Goad on Nevada NewsMakers
View more...
August 6, 2010: WPI Vice-President Mike Hillerby in a discussion of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome research at the institute
KUNR NV Newsline
July 30, 2010: Detection of an infectious retrovirus, XMRV, in blood cells of patients with chronic fatigue syndrome.
Landes Bioscience
This article has been archived by the publication. To read the article please contact the publication about their purchasing requirements.
July 26, 2010: On July 22, 2010 the state of Nevada, and all of us at WPI, lost a great leader, advocate and friend with the unexpected and tragic death of former Governor Kenny C. Guinn.
View document [PDF]
July 14, 2010: Delay in Release of Study on Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Prompts an Outcry
New York Times
July 8, 2010: A Third Pathogenic and Lymphotropic Human Retrovirus
View document [PDF]
July 2, 2010: WPI Statement Regarding Center for Disease Control XMRV Study
View document [PDF]
July 2, 2010: With Papers On Hold, Government Scientists Fuel Debate on Virus for Chronic Fatigue
Science Magazine
January-June 2010 [open/close...]
June 30, 2010: One Research Group Finds Virus XMRV in the Blood of Syndrome Sufferers, One Does Not; Papers Held From Publication
Wall Street Journal
June 23, 2010: Molecular Interventions - The Whittemore Peterson Institute: Building Bridges through Private and Public Sector Collaboration
[View more...]
June 14, 2010: Dr. Judy Mikovits presented a scientific lecture to 75 students at the Cardiovascular Research Center and Summer Research Internship Program (SRIP) at the University of Virginia on June 7th, 2010. Joel Hockensmith, Associate Professor of Biochemistry & Molecular Genetics and SRIP Director for the University of Virginia School of Medicine wrote to Dr. Mikovits thanking her for her exciting presentation. "Your enthusiasm for research and hypotheses was infectious as evidenced by the fact that not one, not two, but more than half a dozen students were still waiting to talk to you more than half an hour after the seminar. Kudos to you for stimulating such a diverse group of individuals." wrote Dr. Hockensmith. This is just one example of the many ways that Dr. Mikovits continues to educate and motivate future scientists while also encouraging novel research into neuro-immune diseases.
June 11, 2010: The Whittemore Peterson Institute (WPI) has licensed its XMRV technology to WP Biotechnologies (WPBio), a subsidiary of WPI. This exclusive licensing arrangement was established to facilitate the rapid and broad commercialization of WPI's technology to benefit patients. WPBio has and will continue to enter into sublicense agreements with capable partners to improve and increase the availability of XMRV testing worldwide.
June 3, 2010: Xenotropic Murine Leukemia Virus-related Gammaretrovirus in Respiratory Tract
View document [PDF]
June 1, 2010: 2010 I Hope You Dance 6th Annual WPI Fundraising Gala
Save the date: Friday, September 10, 2010, Peppermill Resort Casino, Reno, Nevada
View document [PDF]
May 18, 2010: Whittemore Peterson Institute and Cerus Confirm Inactivation of XMRV by the INTERCEPT Blood System
View document [PDF]
May 17, 2010: Annette Whittemore and Dr. Donnica Moore on NV Newsmakers.
You can watch the episode Tuesday, May 18, 2010 at: www.nevadanewsmakers.com.
May 12, 2010: International ME/CFS and Fibromyalgia Awareness Day
View document [PDF]
May 10, 2010: Annette Whittemore's Testimony to CFSAC 2010
View video...
May 6, 2010: Bulletin of the IACFS/ME Letter to the Editor by Dr. Judy Mikovits
View more...
May 6, 2010: The Whittemore Peterson Institute's study of XMRV with UK ME patients is now closed. We want to thank everyone who volunteered for the study to donate blood samples to the institute for research on XMRV incidence in ME/CFS. The patients that have been selected have been contacted by International Phlebotomy Services. If you have not been contacted we are sorry but you will not be part of this study and have been put on a waiting list for future studies. We encourage you to check the websites for announcements of additional studies but do not anticipate additional studies for at least 6 months.
May 4, 2010: Dr. Bell's Personal Appeal for Donations to WPI
View letter [PDF]
April 28, 2010: Whittemore Peterson Institute announces search for Medical Director
View document [PDF]
April 28, 2010: Chronic fatigue link prompts blood ban in Australia
View more...
April 23, 2010: KUNR (NPR) "Few Minutes with Milt" featuring Dr. Judy Mikovits
Listen to podcast
April 23, 2010: WPI response to Members of the DSM-5 Task
View letter [PDF]
April 21, 2010: IACFS Q&A
View document [PDF]
April 21, 2010: 29th Annual Athens to Atlanta Road Skate
WPI is pleased to have been selected by the 29th Annual Athens to Atlanta Road Skate as this year's charity. We are looking forward to raising awareness of our work in the southern states. We thank APRR for their generosity and efforts to help the WPI
View more...
April 21, 2010: Chronic fatigue donors face rejection
View more...
April 12, 2010: WPI and Myra McClure Communication regarding XMRV
View April 12 letter to Dr. McClure [PDF]
View letter to Annette Whittemore/WPI [PDF]
View April 27 letter to Dr. McClure [PDF]
April 8, 2010: The WPI applauds the Canadian government for their response to the findings of a new human retroviral infection, XMRV, in patients with ME/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. Due to the serious nature of ME/CFS and the possibility of transmitting XMRV through blood transfusions, we believe that it is prudent to be cautious until the scientific community can conduct the necessary studies to determine the prevalence and risk of XMRV in those individuals with ME/CFS. Read the story ("Canada bans blood donations from people with chronic fatigue," April 7, 2010) at Canwest News Service.
April 5, 2010: Potential Risk to Blood Supply Probed: XMRV Virus Gets Attention of Health Officials, but It's Unclear if There Is Any Danger
Read the story at Wall Street Journal.
February 18, 2010: A recent study of XMRV sheds light on the cancer causing properties of retroviruses and suggests a pathway to future vaccine development.
Read this story at ScienceDaily. Link to the abstract at Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
February 18, 2010: WPI is aware of the recent UK study that was unable to detect the presence of XMRV in any CFS patient samples. Although researchers at the WPI were not involved in this project, our work in XMRV continues with researchers around the world. We look forward to the results of studies which replicate the methods used in the original research described in the journal Science in October, 2009.
View more...
Information Regarding XMRV Studies
1. The authors of the Science paper established the existence of XMRV as an infectious human blood borne retrovirus for the first time in blood of patients diagnosed with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS). Previous studies had established the presence of XMRV sequences and protein in human prostate tissue.
2. In the Science paper, the presence of XMRV in well-characterized patients with CFS was established using multiple technologies:
a) PCR on nucleic acids from un-stimulated and stimulated white blood cells;
b) XMRV protein expression from stimulated white blood cells;
c) Virus isolation on the LNCaP cell line; and
d) A specific antibody response to XMRV.
3. The authors of the two UK studies did not attempt to “replicate” the WPI study. Replication requires that the same technologies be employed. The WPI sent reagents and information to several groups of researchers in an effort to support their replication studies. Neither UK study requested positive control blood, plasma or nucleic acids from the WPI.
4. The collection, preparation and storage of DNA were completely different between the Science and UK papers. The latter studies do not show data on blood harvesting or storage. Nor do the studies disclose the quantity of isolated cells. Insufficient number of cells analyzed may result in failure to detect a low copy virus like XMRV, regardless of the sensitivity of the assay. Neither UK study provides detail to allow interpretation of how many white blood cells were analyzed.
5. Patient population selection may differ between studies.
6. The UK authors were unable to detect XMRV, even though 4% of healthy individuals were found to be infected in the US. Japanese scientists detected XMRV in 1.7% in healthy blood donors in Japan. The two previously identified human retroviruses have distinct geographical distributions.
7. Perhaps the most important issue to focus on is the low level of XMRV in the blood. XMRV is present in such a small percentage of white blood cells that it is highly unlikely that either UK study’s PCR method could detect it using the methods described. Careful reading of the Science paper shows that increasing the amount of the virus by growing the white blood cells is usually required rather than using white blood cells directly purified from the body. When using PCR alone, the Science authors found that four samples needed to be taken at different times from the same patient in order for XMRV to be detected by PCR in freshly isolated white blood cells. More importantly, detection methods other than PCR showed that patients whose blood lacks sufficient amount of XMRV detectable by PCR are actually infected. This was proven by the isolation of viral proteins and the finding of infectious XMRV isolated from the indicator cell line LNCaP. The authors of the Retrovirology paper admit that their neutralization assay did not detect bacterially expressed XMRV gag and that positive control sera was needed to validate their assay. The WPI’s monoclonal antibodies specifically and sensitively completed the immune response demonstrating the assays sensitivity and specificity for XMRV envelope.
Simply stated the only validated reliable methods for detecting XMRV in CFS patients, to date, are the methods described in Science. Failure to use these methods and validated reagents has resulted in the failure to detect XMRV. A failure to detect XMRV is not the same as absence of this virus in patients with CFS.
February 9, 2010: Does a virus cause ME?
NHS Choices
February 9, 2010: WPI Announces Health Expert Dr. Donnica Moore is New Spokesperson, Advocating for XMRV & Neuro-Immune Disease Research(ProHealth)
ProHealth
February 8, 2010: Whittemore Peterson Institute Announces Renowned Health Expert Dr. Donnica Moore as New Spokesperson. (CNBC & FOX Business)
This article has been archived by the publication. To read the article please contact the publication about their purchasing requirements.
WPI Press Release [PDF]
January 31, 2010: Dr. Mikovits XMRV Seminar and Q&A by ProHealth and HHV-6 Foundation now available as video. Dr. Mikovoits' PowerPoint slides now also available as PDF.
View Video | View PDF
January 21, 2010: Dr. Mikovits of WPI to Host Live Q&A Session Regarding XMRV
WPI Press Release [PDF]
January 14, 2010: WPI Announces Availability of Updated XMRV Testing
WPI Press Release [PDF]
Winter, 2010: Whittemore Peterson Institute researcher makes major breakthrough in Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
Nevada Silver & Blue [PDF]
January 6, 2010: Official Statement from the Whittemore Peterson Institute Regarding UK Study
WPI Press Release [PDF]
2009 and before [open/close...]
December 9, 2009: Futures in Biotech - Podcast 50 - XMRV Debate
XRMV Breakthrough News
November 11, 2009: A Big Splash From an Upstart Medical Center
New York Times
November 1, 2009: Medical breakthrough puts Reno in spotlight
Reno Gazette-Journal [PDF]
November 1, 2009: The Institute's Origins: Daughter's illness led family to seek help, start institute
Reno Gazette-Journal [PDF]
October 28, 2009: WPI Announces Availability of XMRV Testing.
See our press release or visit VIP Diagnostics (VipDX).
September 24, 2009: WPI Awarded Prestigious NIH R01 Grant
New Strategies to Decipher the Pathophysiology of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
WPI Research Director Dr. Judy Mikovits and collaborator Dr. Jonathan Kerr of St. George’s College in London were awarded this $1.6 million grant by the National Institute of Allergy And Infectious Diseases. This 5 year grant will provide critical support for the ongoing research into the causes and diagnosis of neuro-immune diseases.
February 4, 2009: New UNR Center Raises Hopes for CFS Patients
Reno Gazette-Journal [PDF]
Summer, 2008: Whittemore Family Invests in Neuro-immune Institute
Nevada Silver & Blue [PDF]
Summer, 2008: Center for Molecular Medicine Targets Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
Nevada Silver & Blue [PDF]
Healthcare Heroes
Annette and Harvey Whittemore, Northern Nevada, Community Partner
Nevada Business Journal report [PDF; see page 20]
INIP award
September 8, 2007: NCI CCR (Ruscetti)/NIA (Taub) proposal submitted to the Integrative Neural Immune Program's Intramural Research Award competition, entitled "Role of Chronic Inflammatory Stimulation by Active Herpesvirus Infection in Development of Immune Dysfunction and Mantle Cell Lymphoma in Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Patients", unanimously considered by the ad hoc reviewers and the INIP IRA subcommittee as a project that will yield important new interdisciplinary research findings. The award provides a postdoctoral fellow for 3 years to work on the Project with Dr. Ruscetti and Dr. Taub and WPI.
