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Association of infections with multiple sclerosis in Gulf Cooperation Council countries: a review
1Department of Family and Community Medicine, Unaizah College of Medicine, Qassim University, Unaizah, Saudi Arabia.
Abstract:
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune disease that affects the central nervous system, causing inflammation, demyelination, and neurodegeneration. Infection can play a role in its etiology. Herein, a review is presented of studies that have reported an association between infection and MS risk in countries of the Arabian Gulf region. Searches of the PubMed, Google Scholar, and Science Direct databases were carried out using various search terms, and relevant studies published through January 2019 on the epidemiology of MS in Gulf Cooperation Council countries identified. MS has been found to be associated with measles in Saudi Arabia and Epstein-Barr virus in Kuwait whereas no association has been identified between risk of MS and varicella-zoster virus, mumps, or human herpesvirus-6. However, few epidemiological studies on this topic have been conducted in countries of the Gulf region. Longitudinal and serological studies to establish robust evidence between infection and risk of MS are highly recommended, and a regional MS registry is needed.
Insights
Infection may influence multiple sclerosis (MS) risk in the Arabian Gulf. Measles and Epstein-Barr virus show associations, but more research is needed to confirm links for MS.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Epidemiology
- Immunology
Background:
- Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a central nervous system autoimmune disease.
- Infections are implicated as potential triggers for MS.
- Limited epidemiological data exists on infection-MS associations in the Arabian Gulf.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review studies associating infections with multiple sclerosis risk in the Arabian Gulf region.
- To identify specific infections linked to MS in this geographical area.
- To highlight research gaps and recommend future study directions.
Main Methods:
- Systematic literature search of PubMed, Google Scholar, and Science Direct databases.
- Inclusion of studies on MS epidemiology in Gulf Cooperation Council countries up to January 2019.
- Analysis of reported associations between specific infections and MS risk.
Main Results:
- An association between measles and MS risk was found in Saudi Arabia.
- Epstein-Barr virus showed an association with MS risk in Kuwait.
- No significant association was identified for varicella-zoster virus, mumps, or human herpesvirus-6.
Conclusions:
- Specific infections like measles and Epstein-Barr virus may be associated with MS in the Arabian Gulf.
- Further longitudinal and serological studies are crucial to establish causality.
- Development of a regional MS registry is recommended for robust evidence gathering.
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