The presence of
dUTPase protein in ME/CFS patients was first brought to our attention by Dr Martin Lerner in a
2012 study.
Dr Martin Lerner theorized that herpesvirus ME/CFS is due to an
abortive herpesvirus infection. An abortive infection is one which does not produce viral particles, but smolders away inside cells on a long-term basis.
One protein made in herpesvirus abortive viral infections, as well as in regular productive herpesvirus infections, is deoxyuridine triphosphatase (
dUTPase), and this protein can be transmitted cell to cell via exosome transport. The
dUTPase protein is
known to induce ME/CFS-like symptoms. More info in
this post.
Ohio State found around 31% to 53% of ME/CFS patients have high levels of antibodies to the
dUTPase protein produced by EBV, HHV-6 and VZV. Ref:
here and
here. Ohio State believe dUTPase may be a biomarker in a subset of ME/CFS patients (presumably the herpesvirus subset).