title: Multiple sclerosis-associated retrovirus and optic neuritis.
abstract: One prognostic factor for early multiple sclerosis (MS) patients to develop a definite MS may be the presence of the MS-associated retrovirus (MSRV) in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). We designed a specific study on a cohort of optic neuritis (ON) patients to evaluate the MSRV-dependent conversion to MS relative to the prediction conferred by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and CSF abnormalities. At follow-up, 33.3% MSRV+ and 0% MSRV- ON patients developed MS (P = 0.03). The prediction value is lower than that given by CSF and MRI abnormalities (42.3%). This intriguing finding is discussed in the light of the abundant discrepancies observed in the MSRV literature. Multiple Sclerosis 2006; 12: 357-359. www.multiplesclerosisjournal.com
authors.affiliation: Institute of Clinical Neurology, University of Sassari, Viale San Pietro 10, 07100 Sassari, Italy. stefanos@uniss.it
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Sotgiu
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Arru
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Söderström
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Mameli
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Serra
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Dolei
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D020077:Endogenous Retroviruses / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D015684:Gene Products, pol / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid / Q000235:genetics; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000150:complications* / Q000473:pathology / Q000821:virology*; D009902:Optic Neuritis / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid / Q000473:pathology / Q000821:virology*; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011379:Prognosis
chemical_list: D015684:Gene Products, pol