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A Regime for Antiretroviral Treatment of Myalgic Encephalomyelitis
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==ART for ME== Treatment with antiretroviral drugs ([[ARV]]) for ME is above all based on research by [[Judy Mikovits]] et al., who - like several other researchers - found a human [[gamma-retrovirus]] (HGRV) in the blood of ME patients (see my blog post). Eligible [[ARV]]s for treatment of HGRV infection are [[AZT]], [[Tenofovir]] and Raltegravir. The profile of side effects of [[AZT]], however, is much more severe than that of the reverse transcriptase inhibitor [[Tenofovir]]. Since the proliferation of infected cells must first be stopped, it is advisable - at least according to Dr. [[Judy Mikovits]] and the experience of patients treated with [[ART]] - to start treatment with [[Tenofovir]] and add the integrase inhibitor Raltegravir later, if required at all. Some patients treated by Dr [[John Chia]] also reported successful [[ART]] with nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor Lamivudine. In addition, I received reports of patients who have been successfully treated with Truvada, a combination drug containing [[Tenofovir]] and used in Pre- exposure Prophylaxis ([[PrEP]]). Since [[retrovirus]] research in ME is undermined for various reasons (see my book [[ME - Myalgische Enzephalomyelitis vs. Chronic Fatigue Syndrom - Fakten Hintergründe Forschung]]), there are unfortunately no tests that could serve as a reliable indicator for [[ART]]. One could potentially look for reduced NK cell activity, a defect in antiviral enzyme RNase L, increased HHV-6 titers and proliferation of Anellovirus in plasma. While such tests may facilitate the identification of responders, this is hardly a certain method, as valid examinations are still absent. Even SG-PERT, a testing procedure that quantifies reverse transcriptase activity and can, for example, be performed at the Nationales Referenzzentrum für Retroviren, unfortunately does not indicate whether one is a responder. This was demonstrated by our and other patients' experiences. Perhaps this test does not detect the possibly ultra low-level activity of an HGRV reverse transcriptase enzyme? Even if one is not a supporter of the [[retrovirus]] causation hypothesis, [[Tenofovir]] could still be contemplated as a treatment option for ME patients, as it has immunomodulatory properties and acts as an anti-inflammatory agent - at least in patients with proven [[retrovirus]] infection. However, since experience to date shows that an integrase inhibitor usually needs to be added after a while in order for the patient to continue making progress, there is some evidence to suggest that the efficacy of [[Tenofovir]] in ME patients is due less to its anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory properties than to inhibition of [[retrovirus]] replication.
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