title: Multiple sclerosis unrelated to dog exposure.
abstract: We conducted a case-control study to evaluate the possible association between exposure to dogs and MS. Seventy cases were compared with 70 age- and sex-matched neighborhood controls and 57 cases with 57 age- and sex-matched clinic controls. No association was found, by age groups or by time periods before onset of MS, between MS and presence of any dog, a small dog, a medium or large dog, or an indoor dog in the household. There was a significant negative association between MS and presence of cats in the household and MS and presence of medium and large dogs in the household, and a significant positive association, for several age groups and time periods, between MS and a history of canine distemper in a household dog. The basis for these significant associations is not clear. This study adds weight to the evidence against an association between exposure to small or indoor dogs and MS.
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000818:Animals; D004216:Distemper / Q000635:transmission; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000635:transmission*; D004285:Dogs; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000209:etiology*