HHV-6 DNA and antibody detection in plasma and PBMC of multiple sclerosis patients and healthy control in north of Iran

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is defined by the presence of inflammatory demyelinating plaques in the central nervous system (CNS). It has been indicated that human herpes virus 6 (HHV-6) may play role in pathogenesis of MS.
The aim of this study was to determine the presence of HHV-6 DNA and anti HHV-6 IgG in MS patients and controls.
Blood samples from 59 patients with MS and 59 healthy controls were collected. DNA extraction and real-time PCR based on (Syber Green) were done in the peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and Plasma specimens. Anti-HHV-6 IgG was measured by ELISA technique. Demographic and clinical data were collected and entered in SPSS 16 and analyzed.
HHV-6 DNA was found in the plasma sample of 1 (1.7%) of 59 MS patients. There was no HHV-6 DNA in PBMCs of the MS patients and controls and plasma of control group. Anti- HHV-6 IgG antibody was seen in 84.7 % of MS patients and 82.1% of control group.
There was no significant relation based on presence of HHV-6 DNA and antibody between MS patients and controls in north of Iran.