Don't do it! I talked to Dr. Peterson - absolutely do not do that test. VIPdx is the lab they're using. Its available now.
I have to respectfully disagree with this. Neither Dr Peterson nor Dr Coffin can know anything about this specific XMRV test, or they would not have made those comments. They are obviously basing their views on what they know about testing in general. Yes, usually a PCR test takes a long time to build up. So a company coming out with a test this fast is suspect.
But here are the facts, I have studied this issue and this company since I know someone connected with them. Dr Satterfield worked for years with military and governments (US and foreign), including the US Dept. of Homeland Security, on various rapid test development technologies. His company, Cooperative Diagnostics, bases its methods on his work for those agencies and they have proprietary rapid test development techniques that are proven. They have the ability to accurately amplify samples far beyond ordinary PCR tests, so they really do need less sample. This is all explained on their website. Also, they have experience that probably helped them given their previous work in retroviral testing for HIV, so this was easy and fast for them. They had less learning curve probably than most other labs.
Also of interest, Dr Satterfield helped with rapid Anthrax test development, I don't know the details but can find out if anyone wants. I have suggested to them that they need to communicate better their capabilities and credentials. They are a young firm and I believe they are exactly what we all hoped would happen after the WPI announcement, highly capable scientists in industry becoming interested in CFS. And they are committed to CFS, not just XMRV, I think we will be seeing much more of their work in the near future. They have mentioned to me that they are involved in a study and hope to have a journal publication out relatively soon.
The comments of Dr Peterson are understandable as this is competition for his testing (the VIP lab is probably paying a hefty licensing fee back to WPI). But I think it is unfortunate that such acclaimed scientists would so rapidly dismiss the very thing we need in the CFS world, the growth of services for people with CFS. They should not be afraid of a little competition.
Based on what I know there is nothing to fear from purchasing the XMRV testing from Cooperative Diagnostics. I wish more people would do their homework here. Just read the bio on Dr Satterfield, on their website for the details of their capability. This is a serious group that wants to make a difference and is applying their expertise, just as WPI has done for us. In fact, we have rarely had Ph.D. biomedical engineers that capable interested in CFS, I know of no others. I hope we do not chase them away before they have had a chance to make the difference that they can, they might produce answers other firms can not, as they are committed to diagnostic testing and have unique capabilities in that area.