HHV-6 infection in multiple sclerosis. A clinical and laboratory analysis

  1. J. Pietiläinen1,
  2. J. O. Virtanen1,2,
  3. L. Uotila3,
  4. O. Salonen4,
  5. M. Koskiniemi1,
  6. M. Färkkilä5

Article first published online: 29 JUN 2009

DOI: 10.1111/j.1468-1331.2009.02718.x

Issue

European Journal of Neurology

European Journal of Neurology

Volume 17, Issue 3, pages 506–509, March 2010

Additional Information

How to Cite

Pietiläinen, J., Virtanen, J. O., Uotila, L., Salonen, O., Koskiniemi, M. and Färkkilä, M. (2010), HHV-6 infection in multiple sclerosis. A clinical and laboratory analysis. European Journal of Neurology, 17: 506–509. doi: 10.1111/j.1468-1331.2009.02718.x

Author Information

  1. 1

    Department of Virology, Haartman Institute, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland

  2. 2

    HUSLAB Laboratory Services, Helsinki, Finland

  3. 3

    Department of Clinical Chemistry, HUSLAB Laboratory Services, Helsinki, Finland

  4. 4

    Helsinki Medical Imaging Center, Finland

  5. 5

    Department of Neurology, University Central Hospital, Helsinki, Finland

*Marjaleena Koskiniemi, Department of Virology, Haartman Institute, P.O. Box 21 (Haartmaninkatu 3), 00014 University Of Helsinki, Finland (tel.: +3589 191 26579; fax: +3589 191 26491; e-mail: marjaleena.koskiniemi@helsinki.fi).

Publication History

  1. Issue published online: 23 FEB 2010
  2. Article first published online: 29 JUN 2009
  3. Received 24 April 2009 Accepted 14 May 2009

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Keywords:

  • cerebrospinal fluid;
  • human herpesvirus 6;
  • multiple sclerosis;
  • primary infection

Background and purpose:  To elucidate the role of human herpesvirus-6 (HHV-6) in the development of multiple sclerosis (MS).

Patients and methods:  Nine patients with MS and with acute or chronic HHV-6 infection were evaluated.

Results:  Intrathecal antibody production to HHV-6 and oligoclonal IgG bands in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) was observed in two patients with a clinically definite MS and chronic HHV-6 infection (based on the presence of HHV-6 specific antibodies in the CSF). A temporal association between the symptoms of clinically possible MS and acute primary HHV-6A infection (based on avidity of HHV-6 specific antibodies) was observed in two patients.

Conclusions:  Human herpesvirus-6 infection may be an associated agent in some MS cases. Viral studies are needed to identify a possible viral etiology and give specific therapy.

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