Prevalence of Cytomegalovirus in Patients With Multiple Sclerosis: A Case-Control Study in Northern Iran.
BACKGROUND
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic debilitating disease known as one of the most common neurological dysfunctions in young adults. Recent studies suggest that infections with herpesviruses play a critical role in the pathogenesis of MS.


OBJECTIVE
The present investigation aimed to detect the presence of cytomegalovirus (CMV) in patients with MS using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) methods.


METHODS
Plasma and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were collected from MS patients (n = 82) and from blood donors as control group (n = 89). They were tested for the presence of CMV antibodies and DNA by ELISA and PCR, respectively.


RESULTS
Anti-CMV was positive in 65 (79.3%) and 69 (77.5%) of the MS patients and healthy subjects, respectively (P= 0.853). Similarly, 23 (28%) and 2 (2.2%) patients were positive for CMV DNA among the MS and control groups, respectively. Statistical analysis showed that the frequency of CMV DNA in the MS patients was significantly higher than in the healthy controls (P < 0.001).


CONCLUSIONS
The results of this study showed a possible association between CMV infection and MS. Further experimental and epidemiological studies using case-control approaches are needed to confirm this association.
Department of Microbiology, Tonekabon Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tonekabon, Mazandaran, IR Iran.
Saeideh
S
Najafi
Department of Microbiology, Tonekabon Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tonekabon, Mazandaran, IR Iran.
Masood
M
Ghane
Hepatitis B Molecular Laboratory, Department of Virology, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, IR Iran.
Vahdat
V
Poortahmasebi
Hepatitis B Molecular Laboratory, Department of Virology, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, IR Iran.
Seyed Mohammad
SM
Jazayeri
Department of Neurosurgery, Guilan University of Medical Sciences, Rasht, Guilan, IR Iran.
Shahrokh
S
Yousefzadeh-Chabok
Autoimmune Disease; Cytomegalovirus; Multiple Sclerosis
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