Evaluation of Herpes Simplex Virus Types ۱ and ۲ in Patients with Multiple Sclerosis

Herpes simplex virus (HSV) ۱ and ۲ are probably viral agents responsible for the outbreak of multiple sclerosis (MS). The aim was to determine the demographic characteristics of ۵۰ patients with MS vs ۵۰ healthy individuals in terms of infection with HSV ۱&۲. Demographic data were collected using a standard questionnaire.The HSV ۱&۲ infection rate was determined by the loop mediated isothermal amplification method, in which the primers were designed by Primer Explorer V۴. Data were analyzed by SPSS version ۱۶ using simple statistical tests. Eleven samples out of ۵۰ patients with multiple sclerosis were positive for HSV ۱& ۲; however, all tests of the control group were negative (P value= ۰.۰۰۱). From ۱۱ MS patients infected with HSV, ۷۲.۷% were female. In those with positive HSV reaction, the average age was ۴۰.۳۶±۱۲.۸۴ years; ۹ patients (۸۱.۸%) were married; ۲۷.۳% had family history of MS; and ۵۴.۵% of the patients had relapsing-remitting MS. Performing HSV detection tests is recommended for patients with MS, especially pregnant women, because HSV may cause recurrent miscarriages in women and most HSV infected individuals are female.

Keywords:

Demographics , Herpes Simplex Virus , Infection , Multiple Sclerosis