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Overview

Xenotropic Murine Leukemia Virus-Related Virus (XMRV) is a retrovirus that was first identified in 2006. It is a member of the gammaretrovirus family and was initially discovered in samples from patients with prostate cancer. XMRV gained significant attention due to its proposed association with chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), although subsequent research has largely discredited this link.

Discovery and Initial Research

XMRV was first identified by a team of researchers led by Dr. Robert Silverman at the Cleveland Clinic. The virus was detected in prostate cancer tissue samples, particularly in those with a specific genetic mutation in the RNASEL gene, which is involved in antiviral defense. This discovery led to further investigations into the potential role of XMRV in human diseases.

Controversy and Discreditation

In 2009, a study published in the journal Science reported the presence of XMRV in a significant number of patients with chronic fatigue syndrome. This finding generated widespread interest and concern, as it suggested a viral cause for CFS. However, subsequent studies failed to replicate these results, and it was later revealed that the original findings were likely due to laboratory contamination.

In 2011, the authors of the original study retracted their paper, and further research confirmed that XMRV was not a human pathogen but rather a laboratory artifact. The virus was found to be a recombinant virus that arose during the passage of a prostate cancer cell line in mice.

Current Understanding

Today, XMRV is not considered a human pathogen, and there is no evidence to support its role in prostate cancer or chronic fatigue syndrome. The case of XMRV highlights the importance of rigorous scientific validation and the potential pitfalls of contamination in molecular biology research.

Implications for Research

The XMRV controversy has had significant implications for the field of virology and infectious disease research. It underscored the need for stringent controls and validation in studies involving PCR and other molecular techniques. The episode also prompted a reevaluation of the role of retroviruses in human disease and the importance of reproducibility in scientific research.

Also see

• Retrovirus
• Chronic fatigue syndrome
• Prostate cancer
• Virology
• Laboratory contamination