Research Tracker›Biomarker Atlas›ME/CFS›Neutrophil elastase

Neutrophil elastase in ME/CFS

In ME/CFS (ME/CFS, CFS), published studies report higher levels of Neutrophil elastase, also described as Protease, than in healthy controls. Clinically, it has been associated with tissue damage, inflammation. This entry summarises Maksoud et al. 2023. Group-level associations like this do not translate into an individual diagnostic cut-off.

↑ ElevatedImmune

Summary

Direction in ME/CFS↑ Elevated — higher than in the comparison group
CategoryImmune
Also described asProtease
Compared againstHC (healthy controls)
Associated symptomsTissue damage, inflammation
Test typeBlood test (serum / plasma / whole blood)
SourceMaksoud et al. 2023 — doi:10.1186/s12916-023-02893-9
Condition atlasME/CFS Biomarker Atlas

Related Immune markers in ME/CFS

Full list: ME/CFS Biomarker Atlas.

Frequently asked questions

Is Neutrophil elastase high or low in ME/CFS?

Elevated. Studies summarised in the OSMF atlas report higher Neutrophil elastase in ME/CFS than in healthy controls. Source: Maksoud et al. 2023.

What symptoms is Neutrophil elastase associated with in ME/CFS?

The cited literature associates this marker with Tissue damage, inflammation. These are population-level associations and do not mean the marker causes the symptoms.

Which test measures Neutrophil elastase?

It is measured as a blood test (serum / plasma / whole blood). Many of the cited studies used research-grade assays, so clinical availability may vary.

Is one abnormal Neutrophil elastase result diagnostic of ME/CFS?

No. No single biomarker is diagnostic of ME/CFS. Neutrophil elastase findings come from group comparisons, overlap considerably between patients and controls, and vary with study design, timing and comparison group. A result should be interpreted by a clinician alongside symptoms, history and other tests.

Cite this page

Open Source Medicine Foundation. (2026). Neutrophil elastase in ME/CFS: direction, evidence and what it means. OSMF Research Tracker. Retrieved October 7, 2026, from https://research.opensourcemed.info/biomarkers/me-cfs/neutrophil-elastase.html
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Last reviewed: 2026-06-29 · Page generated from me-cfs.json · Browse: ME/CFS atlas · Biomarker Index · All marker pages

Disclaimer: This page is an educational synthesis of published, peer-reviewed research and is not medical advice. Biomarker findings vary across studies with case definitions, comparison groups, timing and assay methods. Direction of change reflects the predominant finding in the cited source and does not establish a diagnostic threshold. Discuss any test result with a qualified clinician.