Assessment of Herpes virus infection and Cytomegalovirus infection and their relation to multiple sclerosis

Numerous studies examined the connection between viral infections and the onset and progression of multiple sclerosis (MS). Herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV1) was linked to MS. Additionally, research showed that people with MS tend to have higher levels of antibodies against cytomegalovirus (CMV) compared to those without MS. Some studies suggested that CMV infection may result in a more severe form of MS. There is still an ongoing debate regarding the direct role of HSV1 and CMV in MS. Therefore, our objective was to investigate the potential links between HSV1, CMV infections, and MS. This case-control study included 22 MS patients attending the Neurology Clinic at Suez Canal University Hospital, Ismailia, Egypt, and 22 normal controls matched for age and gender. CMV-specific IgM and IgG levels and HSV-specific IgM and IgG levels were measured using an automated analyzer. There was no statistically significant difference in IgM and IgG antibody titers to HSV or CMV between MS cases and controls. The study found no correlation between CMV IgG, IgM, or HSV IgG, IgM, and MS severity. In conclusion, there was not enough data to establish a link between HSV infections and MS severity.