HSV1 and 2 detection in the CSF of multiple sclerosis patients by real-time PCR.

AIM The pathogenic role of Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV) 1 and 2 in Multiple Sclerosis (MS) still remains obscure. The aim of our study was the assessment of HSV1 and 2 DNA prevalence in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of MS patients compared to patients with other neurological disorders (OND). MATERIALS AND METHODS HSV1 and HSV2 DNA detection in the CSF of patients was performed by real time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). RESULTS The genome of HSV1 was present in the CSF of 4.7% of MS patients (4 out of 85), while HSV2 was not detected in any patient. In the sub-group of OND patients, HSV1 was detected in 7.9% of patients (3 out of 38) and HSV2 was detected in 5.3% of patients (2 out of 38). CONCLUSION Our data are in accordance with a limited number of previous reports, supporting a prevalence of HSV1 genome in less than 5% of MS patients.