Abstract
Aim: The pathogenic role of Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV) 1 and 2 in Multiple Sclerosis (MS) still remains obscure. The aim of our study was the assessment of HSV1 and 2 DNA prevalence in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of MS patients compared to patients with other neurological disorders (OND). Materials and Methods: HSV1 and HSV2 DNA detection in the CSF of patients was performed by real time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Results: The genome of HSV1 was present in the CSF of 4.7% of MS patients (4 out of 85), while HSV2 was not detected in any patient. In the sub-group of OND patients, HSV1 was detected in 7.9% of patients (3 out of 38) and HSV2 was detected in 5.3% of patients (2 out of 38). Conclusion: Our data are in accordance with a limited number of previous reports, supporting a prevalence of HSV1 genome in less than 5% of MS patients.
Footnotes
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Conflicts of Interests
M. Anagnostouli has received research support and honoraria from Novartis Pharma and research support from Merck Serono, Biogen Idec, Bayer Schering Pharma, UCB and Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd.
- Received July 28, 2014.
- Revision received September 22, 2014.
- Accepted September 26, 2014.
- Copyright © 2014 International Institute of Anticancer Research (Dr. John G. Delinassios), All rights reserved