Figure 1.

Schematic representation of mitochondrial dysfunction involved in the pathogenesis of post-viral fatigue syndrome. The most prevalent clinical features in these disorders affect the brain, the heart, skeletal muscle cells, immune cells, and the intestine (colon). Dysfunctions are commonly caused in multiple organ systems with a clinical spectrum that varies within and between patients. The resulting fall in ATP production due to a reduced mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨ_m) and an increased ROS generation has a deleterious effect on a number of major ATP-consuming organs in patients with PVFS causing the cardinal symptoms shown.