Abstract
Red and white blood cell parameter profiles and poke-weed mitogen responses were investigated in 57 CDC-dcfined CFS patients and 34 age-and sex-matched controls. CFS patients had significantly different red and white blood cell profiles compared with controls. Red cell distribution width (RDW) was the primary regression factor differentiating the groups. RDW was positively associated with mean platelet volume (MPV) in control subjects, but negatively correlated with MPV in CFS patients, indicating a reversal of the functional relationship between these parameters in CFS patients. Hematological parameters, and not the immunological parameters studied, were more important in differentiating CFS patients from healthy control subjects. Female CFS patients had significant increases in RDW and mean platelet volume, and decreases in the numbers of T-helper cells, T-cells and lymphocytes compared with control females. These alterations were not observed in corresponding mate comparisons. There were no differences in the pokeweed mitogen (PWM) response between the CFS and control groups. However, in control subjects, a significant association was observed between pokeweed mitogen responses and Rh(D) antigen status, whereas no similar association was measured in CFS patients. Rh(D)-negative control subjects had a significantly increased mitogen response compared with Rh(D)-positive subjects, whereas in CFS patients, no difference was found. It was concluded that future blood parameter and lymphocyte mitogen response studies in CFS patients should be controlled for sex and Rh status, respectively.