BACKGROUND: A possible viral cause for multiple sclerosis (MS) has long been suspected. A progressive increase in MS has been reported in Mexico during the past 20 years; a conspicuous antecedent of varicella infection during childhood has been the most relevant finding in the medical history of patients with MS. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the possible participation of varicella-zoster virus (VZV) in the etiopathogenesis of MS. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PATIENTS: We searched, by polymerase chain reaction (PCR), for VZV DNA in peripheral mononuclear cells of 82 patients with relapsing-remitting MS. Additionally, genes gD from herpes simplex viruses 1 and 2 were sought by PCR, as well as IgG and IgM serum antibodies to VZV. RESULTS: Viral DNA from the genes open reading frame (ORF)31, ORF62, ORF63, and ORF67 of VZV was found in mononuclear cells from 13 (87%) of 15 patients with MS who were tested during acute relapse. All patients who were tested during remission (n = 67) were negative for the DNA, including patients who were initially positive and were tested again after 2 months of remission. All control patients with a comprehensive variety of neurologic diseases (n = 100) and healthy controls (n = 20) also tested negative. All subjects were negative for herpes simplex viruses 1 and 2 DNA, and no differences were found in serum antibodies to VZV. CONCLUSIONS: The finding of genes of VZV in peripheral mononuclear cells, restricted to a brief period during clinical relapse of MS, suggests either its participation in the etiopathogenesis of MS or an epiphenomenon of viral activation simultaneous with the relapse of MS.
BACKGROUND: A possible viral cause for multiple sclerosis (MS) has long been suspected. A progressive increase in MS has been reported in Mexico during the past 20 years; a conspicuous antecedent of varicella infection during childhood has been the most relevant finding in the medical history of patients with MS. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the possible participation of varicella-zoster virus (VZV) in the etiopathogenesis of MS. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PATIENTS: We searched, by polymerase chain reaction (PCR), for VZV DNA in peripheral mononuclear cells of 82 patients with relapsing-remitting MS. Additionally, genes gD from herpes simplex viruses 1 and 2 were sought by PCR, as well as IgG and IgM serum antibodies to VZV. RESULTS: Viral DNA from the genes open reading frame (ORF)31, ORF62, ORF63, and ORF67 of VZV was found in mononuclear cells from 13 (87%) of 15 patients with MS who were tested during acute relapse. All patients who were tested during remission (n = 67) were negative for the DNA, including patients who were initially positive and were tested again after 2 months of remission. All control patients with a comprehensive variety of neurologic diseases (n = 100) and healthy controls (n = 20) also tested negative. All subjects were negative for herpes simplex viruses 1 and 2 DNA, and no differences were found in serum antibodies to VZV. CONCLUSIONS: The finding of genes of VZV in peripheral mononuclear cells, restricted to a brief period during clinical relapse of MS, suggests either its participation in the etiopathogenesis of MS or an epiphenomenon of viral activation simultaneous with the relapse of MS.
Authors: Gloudina M Hon; Mogamat S Hassan; Susan J van Rensburg; Rajiv T Erasmus; Tandi E Matsha Journal: Metab Brain Dis Date: 2012-03-10 Impact factor: 3.584
Authors: Mark P Burgoon; Randall J Cohrs; Jeffrey L Bennett; Sarah W Anderson; Alanna M Ritchie; Sabine Cepok; Bernhard Hemmer; Don Gilden; Gregory P Owens Journal: Ann Neurol Date: 2009-04 Impact factor: 10.422
Authors: Yvonne Couch; Andrew E Davis; Inês Sá-Pereira; Sandra J Campbell; Daniel C Anthony Journal: J Neuroinflammation Date: 2014-10-17 Impact factor: 8.322