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September 08, 2025

Opportunistic Infections Panel: Detecting Hidden Viral and Parasitic Triggers of Chronic Illness

The Opportunistic Infections Panel uncovers hidden pathogens like CMV, EBV, Parvovirus, Toxoplasma, HSV, and HHV that drive chronic fatigue, autoimmunity, and neurological illness.

Opportunistic Infections Panel: Detecting Hidden Viral, Parasitic, and Bacterial Triggers in Chronic Illness

Introduction

When patients struggle with chronic fatigue, autoimmunity, neurological symptoms, or unresolved inflammatory conditions, standard lab work often comes back “normal.” Yet many of these cases are driven not by a single infection, but by latent, reactivated, or opportunistic pathogens that weaken immunity and fuel inflammation.

The Opportunistic Infections Panel was developed to address this gap. By testing for multiple herpesviruses, cytomegalovirus, Epstein-Barr virus, parvovirus, toxoplasmosis, and streptococcal infection markers, this panel identifies hidden microbial triggers that conventional testing often overlooks.

Like the Lyme, Coinfections, and Viral Infection Panels, this test uses a dual approach:

  • IgG and IgM antibody detection to measure immune response (past exposure vs. recent infection).

  • PCR DNA testing to directly identify active pathogens in the blood.

This makes it one of the most comprehensive functional medicine tools for evaluating patients with persistent, unexplained illness.

Why Opportunistic Infections Matter

Latency and reactivation

Viruses like EBV, CMV, and HSV never fully leave the body. After initial infection, they remain latent in tissues and can reactivate during times of stress, illness, or immune suppression.

Chronic immune activation

Persistent exposure to viral proteins and toxins from opportunistic pathogens can trigger:

  • Autoimmunity (through molecular mimicry).

  • Neuroinflammation (causing brain fog, depression, cognitive decline).

  • Mitochondrial dysfunction (fatigue, exercise intolerance).

Overlapping symptoms

Opportunistic infections often cause non-specific symptoms: fatigue, rashes, joint pain, headaches, or GI upset. This overlap makes them hard to distinguish without advanced testing.

Opportunistic Infections Panel Markers

The panel measures both antibody reactivity and PCR DNA evidence for key opportunistic pathogens.

IgG & IgM Antibody Markers

Cytomegalovirus (CMV):

  • EIA Antigen

  • GlyB

  • p150

  • p28

  • p52

  • p65

  • p38

Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV):

  • EA Antigen

  • EBNA1

  • VCA gp125

  • p18

  • p23

Parvovirus B19:

  • VLP VP2

  • VLP VP1/VP2 Co-Capsid

Toxoplasma gondii:

  • Crude Extract

  • MIC3

  • p24

  • p29

  • p30

Herpesviruses:

  • HSV-1

  • HSV-2

  • HHV-6

  • HHV-7

Bacterial:

  • Streptococcal A

PCR Markers

  • Parvovirus B19

  • Toxoplasma gondii

Pathogens Covered in Detail

Cytomegalovirus (CMV)

  • A member of the herpesvirus family.

  • Most adults have been exposed, but reactivation can cause chronic fatigue, cardiovascular issues, and immune suppression.

  • Elevated antibodies suggest reactivation or ongoing immune stress.

Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV)

  • Causes mononucleosis (“mono”).

  • Strongly linked to autoimmunity (Hashimoto’s, lupus, MS) and chronic fatigue syndrome.

  • EA and VCA markers indicate active or reactivated infection. EBNA1 positivity reflects past exposure.

Parvovirus B19

  • Known for “fifth disease” in children, but in adults can cause joint pain, anemia, and chronic fatigue.

  • PCR positivity indicates current active viral replication.

Toxoplasma gondii

  • A protozoan parasite, often contracted from cats, soil, or contaminated food.

  • Can remain dormant but cause severe illness in immunocompromised patients.

  • Linked to psychiatric conditions, autoimmune activation, and neurological issues.

Herpes Simplex Viruses (HSV-1 & HSV-2)

  • HSV-1 causes oral cold sores; HSV-2 causes genital herpes.

  • Latency and frequent reactivation strain the immune system.

  • HSV-1 reactivation has been associated with Alzheimer’s disease risk.

Human Herpesviruses (HHV-6 & HHV-7)

  • Childhood infections that persist in the body.

  • Reactivation linked to chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia, and neuroinflammation.

Streptococcal A

  • Common bacterial infection.

  • Included due to its role in PANDAS/PANS (pediatric autoimmune neuropsychiatric disorders associated with strep).

  • Can trigger autoimmune responses, including OCD-like symptoms and tics.

Who Should Consider the Opportunistic Infections Panel?

This test is especially useful for patients with:

  • Chronic fatigue syndrome or fibromyalgia.

  • Unexplained neurological symptoms (brain fog, memory loss, mood disorders).

  • Autoimmune conditions (MS, lupus, Hashimoto’s thyroiditis).

  • Relapsing viral-like illness (low-grade fevers, rashes, joint pain).

  • Unexplained anemia or joint pain (linked to parvovirus).

  • Behavioral or psychiatric changes in children (linked to strep-driven PANS/PANDAS).

  • History of multiple infections or poor recovery after illness.

Interpreting Results

  • IgM positive → Recent or ongoing infection.

  • IgG positive → Past exposure; may still be clinically relevant if symptoms align.

  • PCR positive → Active infection confirmed (Parvovirus or Toxoplasma).

  • Combination positivity → Suggests reactivation or chronic immune burden.

Functional & Integrative Medicine Approach

Immune Support

  • Vitamin D, zinc, selenium, glutathione.

  • Peptides like Thymosin Alpha-1 and LL-37 for immune balance.

Antimicrobial Therapies

  • Antivirals (when indicated for HSV, CMV, EBV).

  • Antiparasitics for Toxoplasma gondii.

  • Antibiotics for Streptococcal A when appropriate.

  • Botanicals: olive leaf extract, monolaurin, berberine, artemisinin.

Anti-inflammatory & Repair Support

  • Curcumin, quercetin, omega-3 fatty acids.

  • Gut repair protocols: probiotics, Immuno-30 (IgG), glutamine.

Neurological & Mitochondrial Support

  • CoQ10, NAD+, acetyl-L-carnitine, magnesium.

  • Lifestyle medicine: stress management, restorative sleep, pacing of activity.

Why the Opportunistic Infections Panel Stands Out

  • Broad coverage of viruses, bacteria, and parasites often missed by standard labs.

  • Dual testing (IgG/IgM + PCR) increases accuracy.

  • Highly relevant to chronic fatigue, autoimmunity, and neuroinflammatory conditions.

  • Actionable results that guide both conventional and integrative care.

  • Pairs well with the Viral Infections, Tickborne, and Coinfections panels for a full infection map.

Conclusion

Opportunistic infections are often the hidden drivers of chronic illness. By testing for a broad spectrum of pathogens—including CMV, EBV, HSV, HHV-6/7, Parvovirus B19, Toxoplasma gondii, and Streptococcal A—the Opportunistic Infections Panel provides clarity that standard labs miss.

Whether the goal is uncovering the cause of chronic fatigue, autoimmune activation, or neurological decline, this panel gives patients and providers the tools to design a targeted, root-cause treatment plan.