Multiple sclerosis, retroviruses, and PCR. The HTLV-MS Working Group.
Previously reported serologic and polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based findings have suggested an association between the human retrovirus, HTLV-I, and multiple sclerosis (MS). Due to the inherent ability of PCR to produce false-positive results, we developed a set of physical and procedural safeguards to minimize the possibility of molecular carryover. These were applied as part of a blinded, large-scale, multipopulation, multiplex PCR-based study designed to examine this issue of association. Our results do not support the hypothesis that HTLV-I, which plays a role in the pathogenesis of an encephalomyeloneuropathy, HTLV-II, or closely related agents are associated with MS. A concomitant review of the current literature supports this view.
Ehrlich
G D
GD
Department of Medicine, SUNY-HSC, Syracuse.
Glaser
J B
JB
Bryz-Gornia
V
V
Maese
J
J
Waldmann
T A
TA
Poiesz
B J
BJ
Greenberg
S J
SJ
D001921:Brain / Q000382:microbiology; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000032:analysis; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005189:False Positive Reactions; D015481:HTLV-I Antibodies / Q000032:analysis; D015368:Human T-lymphotropic virus 1 / Q000235:genetics; D015367:Human T-lymphotropic virus 2 / Q000235:genetics; D006801:Humans; D007124:Immunoenzyme Techniques; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology / Q000382:microbiology*; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D012192:Retroviridae Infections
D004279:DNA, Viral; D015481:HTLV-I Antibodies