Herpes Virus Implicated In
Multiple Sclerosis PathoGenesis
Martin C, Enbom M, Soderstrom M, Fredrikson S, Dahl H, Lycke J, Bergstrom T, Linde A.
Acta Neurol Scand (1997 May) 95(5):280-3
Karolinska Institute, Huddinge Univ Hospital, Dept of Neurology, Stockholm, Sweden
PMID# 9188902
Abstract
Several members of the Herpes Virus family have been implicated in the PathoGenesis of Multiple Sclerosis (MS).
Recently, HHV-6 Viral Antigen has been demonstrated in association to MS plaques, as well as DNA from Human HerpesVirus 6 (HHV-6) in CerebroSinal Fluid from a few MS patients by Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR).
In the present study, CSF from patients with MS, Optic Neuritis and Other Neurological Diseases, as well as consecutive CSF and Serum samples from MS patients included in a clinical trial with Acyclovir.
Were analyzed by nested PCR for the presence of DNA from Herpes Simplex Virus 1 and 2, Epstein-Barr Virus, Varicella Zoster Virus, CytomegaloVirus, Human HerpesVirus 6 and 7.
No Virus DNA was found in any CSF (n = 115) or Serum (n = 116) sample. These findings argue against a continuous disseminated HerpesVirus infection in MS, but do NOT rule out a lesion-associated, low-grade HerpesVirus infection within the MS Brain.
Herpes Viridae Detected in
Multiple Sclerosis & Controls
Sanders VJ, Felisan S, Waddell A, Tourtellotte W.
J NeuroVirol (1996 Aug) 2(4):249-58
UCLA School of Medicine, Dept of Neurology, USA
UI # 96392428
Abstract
Objective
To test for the presence of HerpesViruses in postmortem Brain samples from Multiple Sclerosis patients and controls using polymerase chain reaction.
Background
Herpes Simplex Virus, Varicella-Zoster Virus, Epstein-Barr Virus, CytomegaloVirus, and Human Herpes Virus-6 are common Viruses capable of Persistence & Latency. All have been detected in the CNS.
Methods
Active and inactive plaque tissue, unaffected White Matter (WM) and Gray Matter (GM) from MS cases, and WM and GM controls (Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease and Non-Neurological Disease) were screened for the Herpes Virus by PCR.
Results:
- 37% of the MS cases were positive for Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV).
Twenty-eight percent of controls cases were positive for HSV. Forty-one percent of active plaques were positive for HSV in contrast to only 20% of inactive plaques (Sanders et al, 1996).
- 57% of the MS cases and 43% of the control cases were positive for HHV-6. Thirty-two percent of the active plaques contained HHV-6 compared to 17% of inactive plaques.
- 43% of the MS cases and 32% of the control cases were positive for VZV. Fourteen percent of the active plaques and 10% of the inactive plaques were positive for VZV.
- 27% of MS cases and 38% of control cases were positive for EBV. Five percent of the active plaques were positive for EBV and 10% of the inactive plaques were positive.
- 16% of the MS cases and 22% of the controls were positive for CMV.
Nine percent of the active plaques and 10% of the inactive plaques were positive. We also compared MS WM and GM with controls and found no significant difference.
Conclusions
HSV, HHV- 6, and VZV were present in a greater frequency of MS cases compared to controls; however, NO statistical differences were noted.
The presence of Herpes Virus in all tissue makes an Etiologic association to MS uncertain.
Cellular localization of Virus and its relationship to Pathology and Latency may reveal an association.
Subacute Leukoencephalitis
Caused by Human Herpes Virus-6
Manifesting As Acute Multiple Sclerosis
Carrigan DR, Harrington D, Knox KK.
Neurology 1996 Jul;47(1):145-8
Medical College of Wisconsin, Dept of Pathology, Milwaukee 53226, USA
UI# 96291032
Abstract
Several recent reports have documented the NeuroInvasiveness of Human HerpesVirus-6 (HHV-6) in infants with primary HHV-6 infections, in children and adults with AIDS, in recipients of Bone Marrow Transplants, and in Immunologically intact adults and children.
CNS infections with HHV-6 can be Subacute and are frequently associated with Diffuse or Multifocal DeMyelination.
We analyzed the CNS tissues of a young woman who died of a DeMyelinative disease, which was clinically and HistoPathologically diagnosed as Acute Multiple Sclerosis, for active HHV-6 infection by ImmunoHistoChemical staining.
The tissues contained a Dense and Disseminated active HHV-6 infection that was intimately related to the Pathologic changes present.
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