Premium
HHV‐6 infection in multiple sclerosis. A clinical and laboratory analysis
Author(s) -
Pietiläinen J.,
Virtanen J. O.,
Uotila L.,
Salonen O.,
Koskiniemi M.,
Färkkilä M.
Publication year - 2010
Publication title -
european journal of neurology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.881
H-Index - 124
eISSN - 1468-1331
pISSN - 1351-5101
DOI - 10.1111/j.1468-1331.2009.02718.x
Subject(s) - medicine , multiple sclerosis , cerebrospinal fluid , human herpesvirus 6 , antibody , etiology , immunology , avidity , virus , pathology , viral disease , herpesviridae
Background and purpose: To elucidate the role of human herpesvirus‐6 (HHV‐6) in the development of multiple sclerosis (MS). Patients and methods: Nine patients with MS and with acute or chronic HHV‐6 infection were evaluated. Results: Intrathecal antibody production to HHV‐6 and oligoclonal IgG bands in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) was observed in two patients with a clinically definite MS and chronic HHV‐6 infection (based on the presence of HHV‐6 specific antibodies in the CSF). A temporal association between the symptoms of clinically possible MS and acute primary HHV‐6A infection (based on avidity of HHV‐6 specific antibodies) was observed in two patients. Conclusions: Human herpesvirus‐6 infection may be an associated agent in some MS cases. Viral studies are needed to identify a possible viral etiology and give specific therapy.