If we consider down regulated genes in patients compared to healthy controls, two genes, namely MT-RNR1 and MT-RNR2, were consistently less expressed in CFS patients (− 4.4 log 2 fold change; P = 2.71 × 10−9, and − 5.2 log 2 fold change; P = 3.49 × 10−11, respectively), QFS patients (− 4.9 log 2 fold change; P = 4.69 × 10−8, and − 4.8 log 2 fold change; P = 2.19 × 10−9, respectively), and asymptomatic Q fever seropositive controls (− 3.2 log 2 fold change; P = 1.12 × 10−5, and − 3.7 log 2 fold change; P = 1.78 × 10−6, respectively) (Figs. 2, 3). Here, MT-RNR2 is linked to Q fever.