Is MS an auto-immune disease or a chronic gammaherpesvirus infection?
The geographical-epidemiological findings of MS over the past 75 years are reviewed. Evidence concerning PR latitude-gradients, clusters, migration patterns, and enhancement-protective factors are critically reviewed and analyzed. The evidence in genetics, twin-studies and auto-immune theories are also thoroughly scrutinized as to their possible involvement as causative factors in MS- and found to be somewhat lacking. Environmental discoveries in the Faroes and Key West clusters are reviewed for possible similar environmental causes by a deadly agent. Exogenous-environmental candidate agents over the past 35 years from measles to Marek's are reviewed and analyzed. The undisputed positive laboratory findings of MDV are discussed in relation to Bray's unusually high positive findings with EBV antigen and MS serums. The important discovery of HHV-6 in oligodendrocytes of MS brains but not controls is considered and how this might relate to MDV. The conclusion is that genetics are indeed important in the natural resistance of individual immune systems to invading infectious agents (especially herpesviruses) but genetics in general have little to do with the pathogenesis of multiple sclerosis (but HHV-6, EBV, and MDV do).
MacGregor
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Latiwonk
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D015551:Autoimmunity; D002908:Chronic Disease; D020031:Epstein-Barr Virus Infections / Q000150:complications; D018142:Gammaherpesvirinae; D006566:Herpesviridae Infections / Q000150:complications*; D015654:Herpesvirus 6, Human / Q000302:isolation & purification; D006801:Humans; D025922:Mardivirus / Q000302:isolation & purification; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology / Q000821:virology