Association between human herpesvirus 6 and occurrence of multiple sclerosis among Jordanian patients.
OBJECTIVE
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is hypothesized to be caused by an infectious agent that initiates an autoimmune reaction. Among the infectious agents linked to MS is human herpesvirus 6 (HHV-6). Due to the high occurrence of MS among Jordanian population and the deficiency of MS studies in Jordan, the prevalence of HHV-6 in sera and cerebrospinal fluids (CSFs) of 36 MS patients was investigated.


METHODS
To increase the sensitivity of detection, nested polymerase chain reaction was utilized.


RESULTS
Although we were able to detect HHV-6 DNA in serum samples of 26% MS patients, no significant difference was found when compared to control individuals. In addition, lack of association between MS and presence of viral DNA in CSF samples was observed. Even within the analyzed MS patient population, an association of HHV-6 and MS in terms of gender, type of diagnosis, symptoms and disease score was not identified among Jordanian patients.


CONCLUSIONS
Although these results indicate lack of apparent association between HHV-6 to MS among Jordanian patients, heterogeneity related to genetic polymorphism as well as geographical distribution of the disease and of pathogens may be of significance.
Ahram
M
M
Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Mu'tah University, PO Box 7, Mu'tah, Karak 61710, Jordan. dr.ahram@gmail.com
El-Omar
A
A
Baho
Y
Y
Lubad
M A
MA
D000328:Adult; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000097:blood / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid / Q000276:immunology*; D005260:Female; D015654:Herpesvirus 6, Human / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D007597:Jordan; D008297:Male; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000097:blood / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid / Q000821:virology*; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction
D004279:DNA, Viral