HSV1 and 2 detection in the CSF of multiple sclerosis patients by real-time PCR.
OBJECTIVE
The pathogenic role of Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV) 1 and 2 in Multiple Sclerosis (MS) still remains obscure. The aim of our study was the assessment of HSV1 and 2 DNA prevalence in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of MS patients compared to patients with other neurological disorders (OND).


METHODS
HSV1 and HSV2 DNA detection in the CSF of patients was performed by real time polymerase chain reaction (PCR).


RESULTS
The genome of HSV1 was present in the CSF of 4.7% of MS patients (4 out of 85), while HSV2 was not detected in any patient. In the sub-group of OND patients, HSV1 was detected in 7.9% of patients (3 out of 38) and HSV2 was detected in 5.3% of patients (2 out of 38).


CONCLUSIONS
Our data are in accordance with a limited number of previous reports, supporting a prevalence of HSV1 genome in less than 5% of MS patients.
1st Department of Neurology, Aeginition Hospital, University of Athens, Athens, Greece.
Christos
C
Koros
Department of Nursing, Faculty of Human Movement and Quality of Life Sciences, University of Peloponnese, Sparta, Greece.
Anastasios
A
Ioannidis
Neurological Clinic, Thriassion Hospital, Athens, Greece.
Tereza
T
Acquaviva
Department of Clinical Microbiology, Aeginition Hospital, University of Athens, Greece.
Margarita
M
Zoga
Department of Clinical Microbiology, Aeginition Hospital, University of Athens, Greece.
Chryssoula
C
Nikolaou
Department of Clinical Microbiology, Aeginition Hospital, University of Athens, Greece.
Stylianos
S
Chatzipanagiotou
National Influenza Reference Laboratory of Southern Greece, Institute Pasteur Hellenique, Athens, Greece.
Athanassios
A
Kossyvakis
1st Department of Neurology, Aeginition Hospital, University of Athens, Athens, Greece Immunogenetics Laboratory, 1st Dept of Neurology Aeginition Hospital, University of Athens, Athens, Greece managnost@med.uoa.gr.
Maria
M
Anagnostouli
D000328:Adult; D002555:Cerebrospinal Fluid / Q000821:virology*; D005260:Female; D016679:Genome, Viral; D018259:Herpesvirus 1, Human / Q000235:genetics; D018258:Herpesvirus 2, Human / Q000235:genetics; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000821:virology*; D060888:Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D055815:Young Adult
Cerebrospinal fluid; HLA-DRB1*15; herpes simplex virus 1 and 2; multiple sclerosis; real time PCR; relapses