A potential role for human herpesvirus type 6 in nervous system disease

Item Type:	Article
Title:	A potential role for human herpesvirus type 6 in nervous system disease
Creators Name:	Wilborn, F. and Schmidt, C.A. and Brinkmann, V. and Jendroska, K. and Oettle, H. and Siegert, W.
Abstract:	Human herpesvirus type 6 (HHV-6) is a new representative of the herpesvirus family which was associated with a spectrum of diseases, including myalgic encephalitis, meningitis and the chronic fatigue syndrome. We set out to study the potential role of HHV-6 in multiple sclerosis (MS) (n = 21), facial palsy (FP) (n = 19) and Guillain-Barré-syndrome (GBS) (n = 7). Results were compared with a control group (CG) (n = 16). We analyzed paired samples of serum and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) with the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for the presence of HHV-6 DNA. The studies were complemented by ELISA determination of serum antibodies against HHV-6. In the MS group we detected HHV-6 DNA in the CSF from three of 21 (14.3%) patients but not in the corresponding serum samples. In FP, GBS and controls CSF and serum PCRs were negative in all cases. HHV-6 serum antibody titers were significantly higher in MS compared with FP, GBS and controls. These findings suggest that HHV-6 may play a role in MS.
Keywords:	Human Herpesvirus 6, Nervous System Disease
Source:	Journal of Neuroimmunology
ISSN:	0165-5728
Volume:	49
Number:	1-2
Page Range:	213-214
Date:	1 January 1994
Official Publication:	https://doi.org/10.1016/0165-5728(94)90198-8
PubMed:	View item in PubMed

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