According to a recent study reported in the journal Science, a prostate cancer virus, XMRV, apparently plays a role in chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) - an inexplicable disorder that causes cramps, headaches, weakness, and sleeplessness; and affects nearly 17 million people the world over.

Going by the findings of the research, the XMRV virus was detected in the blood of 68 out of 101 patients of CFS - earlier called Myalgic Encephalomyelitis, ME, and 'Yuppie flu.' However, in the case of healthy people, the same virus showed up in only 8 of 218 individuals.

Though the study shows an association between the prostate cancer virus and CFS, lead researcher Judy Mikovits, of Nevada's Whittemore Peterson Institute, and her colleagues emphasized that there is no evidence to prove that the pathogen is a cause of the mysterious disorder.

The research team also said that further research is needed to find out how XMRV is related to CFS - whether it is a direct cause of the disorder; or it is merely a passenger virus in the suppressed immune systems of CFS patients; or it is a pathogen that acts together with other viruses.

Nonetheless, noting that the findings of the study may pave the way for a medical breakthrough, Mikovits said: "This discovery could be a major step in the discovery of vital treatment options for millions of patients."