Histocompatibility types and viral antibodies

Serum neutralizing (Nt) antibodies to herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) and type 2 (HSV-2), and histocompatibility (HL-A) types, were determined in multiple sclerosis (MS) patients and in control subjects. Titers of Nt antibodies to HSV-1 and to HSV-2 were increased among subjects bearing HL-A3 or HL-A7 or both, whether they suffered from MS or not. The increases were statistically significant in the MS group. The MS and control groups did not differ significantly in levels of HSV-1 or HSV-2 Nt antibodies.