Author/Authors :
Najafi، Saeideh نويسنده Department of Microbiology, Tonekabon Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tonekabon, IR Iran , , Ghane، Masood نويسنده Department of Microbiology, Tonekabon Branch , , Poortahmasebi، Vahdat نويسنده Hepatitis B Molecular Laboratory, Department of Virology, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, IR Iran , , Jazayeri، Seyed Mohammad نويسنده Hepatitis B Molecular Laboratory-Department of Virology-School of Public Health-Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran , , Yousefzadeh Chabok، Shahrokh نويسنده Guilan Road Trauma Research Center, Guilan University of Medical Sciences, Rasht, IR Iran Yousefzadeh Chabok, Shahrokh
Abstract :
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. 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. 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. 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).
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.
