Soon, all new participants in the Dutch ME/CFS Cohort and Biobank (NMCB) will receive a sample kit by post. Collecting stool samples will become a standard part of the NMCB study. Scientists will use these samples to investigate the role of viruses and the gut microbiome in ME/CFS.
The gut microbiome is the collective term for the billions of bacteria, viruses, and other microorganisms that live in the intestines. These microorganisms help with digestion and play an important role in the immune system.
Researcher Rik Haagmans is studying whether changes in the microbiome are associated with viruses that remain in the body after an infection. Many people with ME/CFS become ill after infections such as glandular fever, which is caused by the Epstein–Barr virus. This virus remains in the body for life. In most people it stays dormant and does not cause symptoms. Researchers want to find out whether this is different in people with ME/CFS. They are investigating whether differences in the gut microbiome are related to how active these viruses are in people with ME/CFS.
A sample kit delivered to your home
All new participants in the NMCB study will receive a sample kit at home. The kit contains a container for collecting a stool sample, along with clear instructions and materials to return it safely. The sample will be stored in the biobank and used for research.
In the laboratory, researchers analyze the DNA of the microbiome in the stool sample. This allows them to determine exactly which bacteria and viruses are present in the gut. This information is combined with blood tests from the same participants. Researchers also study in the laboratory how intestinal cells respond to microorganisms from these samples. This helps to better understand how the microbiome and viruses may influence each other.
Additional research using data from the United Kingdom
The Dutch study also uses data and samples from a clinical study conducted by the Quadram Institute in the United Kingdom. In that study, the gut microbiome of patients is deliberately altered through a fecal microbiota transplant.
This provides researchers with a unique opportunity to observe what happens to viruses when the microbiome changes. By analyzing these data, the Dutch team can better determine whether changes in the microbiome influence viral activity. This treatment is not carried out within the NMCB.
Importance for ME/CFS research
The aim of this research is to better understand what happens in the body in ME/CFS and why the disease can vary from person to person. This knowledge is necessary to develop better treatments in the future.
Sending out the sample kits is an important step. With each sample, participants make a valuable contribution to this research.