Several studies have suggested an association between Human HerpesVirus 6 (HHV-6) and Multiple Sclerosis (MS).
We have previously studied Intrathecal production of AntiBody to LymphoTropic HerpesViruses in MS patients and the presence of Human HerpesVirus 1 to 7 DNAs in CerebroSpinal Fluid (CSF).
In the present study anti-HHV-6 ImmunoGlobulin M (IgM) in Serum and Anti-HHV-6 IgG subclasses in Serum and CSF were examined and the LymphoProliferative response to HHV-6 was analyzed.
The PCR examination was refined by purifying DNA from CSF and retesting the samples for HHV-6 DNA.
There were no statistically significant differences between the groups concerning IgM positivity, distribution of IgG subclasses, or LymphoProliferative response to HHV-6.
The purification of DNA increased the number of PCR-positive samples from 0 of 71 to 4 of 68.
The study does not give additional support to the possibility that HHV-6 is a common cause of MS, but a role for the Virus in a subset of patients cannot be excluded.
