Seroprevalence of herpes simplex virus type 2 in multiple sclerosis.
BACKGROUND
It has been proposed that multiple sclerosis (MS) might be a sexually transmitted disorder. There is evidence that seropositivity to herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) correlates well with the number of sexual partners. Accordingly, a raised overall HSV-2 seroprevalence in MS would lend support to this theory.


METHODS
Serum from 497 UK subjects with clinically definite MS was tested for antibodies to HSV-2 and compared with matched historical controls from within and outside London, blood donors and genito-urinary medicine (GUM) clinics.


RESULTS
The unadjusted MS seropositivity rate was 14%. HSV-2 seroprevalence in MS patients aged 35-64 years was significantly higher overall compared with a non-London general population in an unadjusted comparison. HSV-2 seroprevalence in London MS patients compared with London blood donors was significantly greater irrespective of age, but the MS seropositive rate was lower than GUM clinic attenders. In a logistic regression analysis, increased age, female sex and MS diagnosis all independently increased the odds of seropositivity after adjustment for each other.


CONCLUSIONS
It is concluded that there is increased likelihood of HSV-2 exposure in patients with MS and this may indicate a higher than average number of partners.
Hawkes
C H
CH
Essex Neuroscience Centre, Oldchurch Hospital, Essex, UK. chrishawkes@msn.com
Giovannoni
G
G
Keir
G
G
Cunnington
M
M
Thompson
E J
EJ
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000914:Antibodies, Viral / Q000097:blood*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005260:Female; D018258:Herpesvirus 2, Human / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000097:blood*; D016036:Seroepidemiologic Studies; D012737:Sex Factors; D006113:United Kingdom
D000914:Antibodies, Viral