These tools will no longer be maintained as of December 31, 2024. Archived website can be found here. PubMed4Hh GitHub repository can be found here. Contact NLM Customer Service if you have questions.


PUBMED FOR HANDHELDS

Search MEDLINE/PubMed


  • Title: Polyspecific, antiviral immune response distinguishes multiple sclerosis and neuromyelitis optica.
    Author: Jarius S, Franciotta D, Bergamaschi R, Rauer S, Wandinger KP, Petereit HF, Maurer M, Tumani H, Vincent A, Eichhorn P, Wildemann B, Wick M, Voltz R.
    Journal: J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry; 2008 Oct; 79(10):1134-6. PubMed ID: 18270237.
    Abstract:
    BACKGROUND: A polyspecific, intrathecal humoral immune response against neurotropic viruses such as measles, rubella and varicella zoster virus (MRZ reaction, MRZR) is present in 80-100% of patients with multiple sclerosis (MS), but has not to date been evaluated in patients with neuromyelitis optica (NMO). AIMS: To evaluate whether MRZR distinguishes NMO and MS. METHODS: 20 patients with NMO and 42 with MS were included. The intrathecal synthesis of antibodies against measles, rubella and varicella zoster virus was detected by calculation of the respective antibody indices (AI). RESULTS: A positive MRZ reaction, as defined by a combination of at least two positive AIs, was found in 37/42 MS, but in only 1/20 NMO patients (p<0.0001). Median AI values differed significantly between the groups (p<0.0005). CONCLUSIONS: The polyspecific antiviral humoral immune response characteristic for MS is widely missing in NMO, irrespective of the NMO-IgG status of the patients. Our findings further strengthen the case for NMO being pathologically distinct from MS.
    [Abstract] [Full Text] [Related] [New Search]