Antibodies against the paramyxovirus SV5 are not specific for cerebrospinal fluid from multiple sclerosis patients.
An aetiological agent for multiple sclerosis has not yet been identified. The paramyxovirus SV5 (Simian virus 5) has been suggested as an important cause in some cases. Using antigen immunoblotting with SV5 virus, we confirmed the binding to SV5 of immunoglobulin G from the cerebrospinal fluid of 58% of multiple sclerosis patients, but also found binding in 70% of patients with a variety of neurological disorders where oligoclonal banding was present. This suggests that the antibodies present are not specific for multiple sclerosis and that the SV5 virus is thus unlikely to be of aetiological significance.
McLean
B N
BN
Department of Neurochemistry, Institute of Neurology, London, U.K.
Thompson
E J
EJ
D000956:Antigens, Viral / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid*; D006801:Humans; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid / Q000382:microbiology*; D010252:Paramyxoviridae / Q000276:immunology*
D000956:Antigens, Viral