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Multiple Sclerosis and Human Herpesvirus 6

  • Clinical and Epidemiological Study
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Abstract

Background: A possible but as yet unproven relationship has been proposed between the onset or persistence of multiple sclerosis (MS) symptoms and herpesviruses, including, most recently, human herpesvirus 6 (HHV-6). A study was conducted to investigate the presence of HHV-6 DNA and the synthesis of antibodies against HHV-6, cytomegalovirus (CMV) and Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) in serum and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of patients with MS.

Materials and Methods: PCR and ElISA were used to detect HHV-6 DNA and specific antibodies against HHV-6, CMV and EBV in 211 samples (139 sera and 72 CSF). There were three groups of samples: group I, paired samples of serum and CSF from 41 MS patients; group II, paired samples of serum and CSF from 31 patients with neurological diseases other than MS (OND); group III, 67 serum samples from 27 different MS patients undergoing serologic follow-up.

Results: No HHV-6 DNA was found in any sample. Group I sera showed elevated anti-HHV-6 IgG and IgA levels. In group II, anti-CMV IgG was detected in one CSF sample and anti-HHV-6 IgM in one serum sample. Group III sera showed high concentrations of anti-HHV-6 IgG, IgA and IgM.

Conclusion: Given the clinical implications of the presence of antibodies against HHV-6 in MS patients, a viral reactivation cannot be excluded as an environmental factor.

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Received: April 5, 2001 · Revision accepted: January 22, 2002

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Gutiérrez, J., Vergara, MJ., Guerrero, M. et al. Multiple Sclerosis and Human Herpesvirus 6. Infection 30, 145–149 (2002). https://doi.org/10.1007/s15010-002-2056-7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s15010-002-2056-7

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