Multiple sclerosis-associated retrovirus and progressive disability of multiple sclerosis

Mult Scler. 2010 Oct;16(10):1248-51. doi: 10.1177/1352458510376956. Epub 2010 Aug 4.

Abstract

Retrovirus-like particles containing the multiple sclerosis-associated retrovirus RNA, significantly found in the cerebrospinal fluid of patients with multiple sclerosis, have been preliminarily associated with a short-term poor clinical and radiological prognosis of the disease. We asked whether these prognostic indications are still measurable after a long-term clinical evaluation (10 years). Our 10-year blind observational study confirms that the presence of multiple sclerosis-associated retrovirus in the cerebrospinal fluid of early multiple sclerosis patients is associated with a significantly greater rate of relapse-unrelated unremitting disability and secondary progression of the disease.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Cohort Studies
  • Disability Evaluation
  • Disease Progression
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Humans
  • Multiple Sclerosis / cerebrospinal fluid
  • Multiple Sclerosis / physiopathology*
  • Multiple Sclerosis / virology*
  • Neurologic Examination
  • Prognosis
  • RNA, Viral / cerebrospinal fluid
  • Recurrence
  • Retroviridae*

Substances

  • RNA, Viral