More MS news articles for May 2004

Link between MS attacks and cold viruses clarified

http://www.bostoncure.org:8080/article.pl?sid=04/05/13/115244&mode=nested

May 13, 2004
Hollie
Boston Cure Project

Several previous studies have described a link between upper respiratory infections (URIs) and MS attacks. However, no study has yet demonstrated the ability of any specific respiratory virus to trigger attacks. To help identify which virus or viruses might be capable of doing this, a small study followed 16 subjects with relapsing remitting MS and tracked any relapses and/or URIs experienced during the study period. Culture and RNA analysis of nasal swab specimens and antibody analysis of blood samples were performed to determine the presence of various viruses in each URI.

Analysis of the URI and relapse data revealed a significant association between MS attacks and the presence of picornavirus RNA during URIs. Seven of the nine attacks that occurred during a URI risk period coincided with the detection of picornavirus RNA. Also, seven of the nine URIs associated with picornavirus detection coincided with an MS attack. On the other hand, only two of twelve picornavirus-negative URIs were associated with a relapse. The authors of the study speculate on how picornaviruses might influence MS exacerbations (induction of inflammatory cytokines? infection of the brain itself?) but note that these findings first need to be independently confirmed.