Human herpes virus 6 and multiple sclerosis.
OBJECTIVE
To systematically review the published evidence for a relationship between human herpes virus 6 (HHV-6) and multiple sclerosis (MS).


METHODS
The medical literature was searched using MEDLINE and the Cochrane database. Retrieved studies are presented according to the experimental technique(s) used. The studies are rated for quality using a priori defined criteria.


RESULTS
Twenty-eight studies were retrieved. A total of 12 different experimental techniques were used. Four of these techniques provided evidence for a relationship between HHV-6 and MS, but none were able to show a causative relationship.


CONCLUSIONS
The available literature provides some support for a relationship between HHV-6 and MS. The limitations of the available studies and directions for future research are discussed.
Moore
F G A
FG
Department of Nurology, McGill University, Montereal, Quebec, Canada. fmoore1@po-box.mcgill.ca
Wolfson
C
C
D000914:Antibodies, Viral; D015654:Herpesvirus 6, Human; D006801:Humans; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000276:immunology / Q000821:virology*; D019349:Roseolovirus Infections / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000276:immunology; D016036:Seroepidemiologic Studies
D000914:Antibodies, Viral