[Lack of human herpesvirus type 6 DNA in CSF by nested PCR among patients with multiple sclerosis]
S Rodríguez Carnero1, C Martínez-Vázquez, C Potel Alvarellos
1Unidad de Enfermedades Infecciosas-Servicio de Medicina Interna. Complexo Hospitalario Xeral-Cies. Vigo. Pontevedra. Spain.
Background:
The etiology of multiple sclerosis (MS) is currently unknown. Different viruses have tentatively been involved as causative agents of MS that would trigger an autoimmune response leading to demyelination plaques. There is controversy regarding the role that the human herpesvirus 6 (HHV-6) might play in this condition, and high antibody titers have been detected to HHV-6. HHV-6 DNA has also been detected by PCR both in blood and cerebrospinal fluid by means of the Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR). Immunohistochemistry studies were performed with histologic specimens from the white matters of patientes with MS. All this has led some authors to incriminate this virus as the triggering etiologic agent of this disease.
Patients And Methods:
CSF specimens from 23 patients with Relapsing-Remitting MS were studied. The CSF specimens from 23 patients undergoing rachianesthesia were used as controls, and none of them had neurologic disorders. A nested PCR was performed in the collected specimens to detect specific DNA sequences of HHV-6.
Results:
No DNA sequences of HHV-6, EBV, VZV, CMV and HSV were detected in the tested specimens.
Conclusions:
No HHV-6 DNA sequences were detected from CSF specimens of patients with MS. Further investigations on the association between HHV-6 and MS should be performed to elucidate the role of HHV-6 in the pathogenesis of this disease.
Insights
This study found no human herpesvirus 6 (HHV-6) DNA in cerebrospinal fluid of multiple sclerosis (MS) patients, suggesting HHV-6 may not be a direct cause of MS. Further research is needed to clarify HHV-6's role in MS pathogenesis.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Neuroimmunology
- Molecular Biology
Context:
- The etiology of multiple sclerosis (MS) remains unknown, with viruses implicated as potential triggers for autoimmune responses.
- Human herpesvirus 6 (HHV-6) has been controversially linked to MS, with some studies reporting high antibody titers and DNA detection.
Purpose:
- To investigate the presence of human herpesvirus 6 (HHV-6) DNA in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of patients with Relapsing-Remitting Multiple Sclerosis (MS).
Summary:
- A nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was employed to analyze CSF samples from 23 MS patients and 23 controls.
- No specific DNA sequences of HHV-6 were detected in any of the tested CSF specimens from MS patients or controls.
Impact:
- This study's findings do not support HHV-6 as a direct causative agent in the pathogenesis of MS based on CSF DNA detection.
- Further research is warranted to fully elucidate the potential association between HHV-6 and MS.
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