title: Absence of HTLV-1 related sequences in MS from high prevalence areas in western Norway.
abstract: In Western Norway, long-term follow up epidemiological studies have revealed significant increases in the incidence and prevalence rates of multiple sclerosis (MS) in stable populations, indicating the impact of exogenous factors. In this study 183 MS patients and 102 controls from high prevalence areas in Western Norway were investigated for human T-lymphotropic virus type I (HTLV-1) related sequences by polymerase chain reaction. Using primers targeting the gag, pol and env genes in the HTLV-1 provirus genome, no amplification products were detected in the 183 MS patients or 102 controls. The results strongly suggest that neither HTLV-1 nor a closely related retrovirus participate in the aetiology of MS.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, University of Bergen, Norway.
authors.forename: K M
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Myhr
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Frost
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Grønning
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Midgard
authors.forename: K H
authors.initials: KH
authors.lastname: Kalland
authors.forename: D E
authors.initials: DE
authors.lastname: Helland
authors.forename: H I
authors.initials: HI
authors.lastname: Nyland
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D015139:Blotting, Southern; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D015490:HTLV-I Infections / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D009664:Norway / Q000453:epidemiology; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D012307:Risk Factors