The association of the human herpesvirus-6 and MS

• Published in: Multiple sclerosis 1999-05, Vol.5 (5), p.355-362
• Main Authors: Friedman, J.E., Lyons, M.J., Cu, G., Ablashl, D.V., Whitman, J.E., Edgar, M., Koskiniemi, M., Vaheri, A., Zabriskie, J.B.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• ISSN: 1352-4585; 1477-0970
• DOI: 10.1191/135245899678846311

Given the clinical and pathological nature of Multiple Sclerosis (MS), a viral infection has long been hypothesized as part of the etiology. In this study we investigated the possibility that the human herpesvirus-6 (HHV-6) is present in a dormant or active phase in the tissue of MS patients, specifically oligodendrocytes. Using PCR assays of MS and non-MS brain sections with primers prepared against the HHV-6 structural protein 101, the results demonstrated that 36% of MS brains were positive for the virus, while 13.5% of non-MS brains were positive. Antibody to the HHV-6 structural protein was also used in immunohistochemical experiments in brain tissue. 47% (7/15) of MS brains were positive for HHV-6, whereas 0/16 controls were positive. In addition, MS patients demonstrated high immune reactivity to this virus, even when compared to auto-immune diseases, which might cause polyclonal activation. Sera obtained from MS and control patients revealed that the IgM response to the HHV-6 virus was significantly elevated in 80% patients compared to 16% non-MS controls, P