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[Serum and cerebrospinal fluid antibodies against measles virus in patients with multiple sclerosis]
Abstract:
Measles c.f.a. and h.i.e. were titrated in sera and, when possible, in the cerebrospinal fluids of 183 SM patients and in sera from a control group of subjects. No significative difference was found by the h.i. test, whereas significantly higher was the frequence of positives by the c.f. test in the SM group, with no correlation with the therapy to which the patients were subjected. The presence of c.f.a. in 13 of 48 cerebrospinal fluids tested, together with a low value of the serum/CSF antibodies ratio and with the lack of CSF antibodies against other viral antigens tested (HSV, rubeola), could indicate an intra CNS production of measles antibodies. To sum up, our results suggest an involvement of measles virus at least in some of the MS patients considered.
Insights
Measles virus may be involved in some cases of Multiple Sclerosis (MS). Higher rates of measles complement fixation antibodies (c.f.a.) were found in MS patients, suggesting potential central nervous system infection.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Virology
- Immunology
Context:
- Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a chronic neurological disease with complex etiology.
- The role of viral infections, including measles, in MS pathogenesis is under investigation.
- Antibody analysis in serum and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) can provide insights into immune responses.
Purpose:
- To investigate the potential involvement of measles virus in Multiple Sclerosis.
- To compare measles antibody titers (complement fixation and hemagglutination inhibition) in MS patients and controls.
- To assess the presence and origin of measles antibodies within the central nervous system.
Summary:
- Measles complement fixation antibodies (c.f.a.) were significantly more frequent in 183 MS patients compared to controls.
- Hemagglutination inhibition (h.i.) test showed no significant difference between groups.
- Measles c.f.a. detected in CSF of some MS patients, along with low serum/CSF antibody ratios, suggests intrathecal antibody production.
Impact:
- Findings suggest a possible role for measles virus in the development or exacerbation of MS in a subset of patients.
- Highlights the importance of investigating viral triggers in neuroinflammatory diseases.
- Provides evidence supporting further research into measles virus and MS pathogenesis.