Shingles favors multiple sclerosis

A shingles seems to favor the onset of multiple sclerosis

10/06/2011

Scientists suspected this relationship for some time and a study now confirmed the assumption: who had a shingles disease, has a four times higher risk of the autoimmune disease multiple sclerosis (MS) to think about.

Slightly increased risk factor after herpes zoster infection
Anyone who has already been infected with the viral herpes zoster infection has a four times higher risk of developing multiple sclerosis later on. Taiwanese scientists reported on a study published in the journal "Journal of Infectious Diseases". The herpes virus infection is popularly often „shingles“ called, because usually forms a painful and stripe-like rash with blisters. Physicians and researchers around the world have long been speculating on a context between the two diseases. On the basis of the study data the suspicion could now be confirmed.

As part of the investigation, scientists Herng-Ching Lin and his team from Taipei Medical University in Taiwan evaluated data from approximately 315,550 patients who had previously contracted herpes zoster. As a control group, the patient data was 946,650 without a viral shingles infection. Named group was selected by random.

In the study, the scientists investigated the question of how many people fell ill with autoimmune disease MS within one year after the illness of a herpes zoster. Shingles patients had a 3.96 increased risk compared to controls. However, the study authors limited that the participants were Han Chinese. In addition, MS is much less common in Asia than in western industrialized nations. Thus one must assume that the result can not be transferred to all regions of the world. For this further studies would have to follow.

Facts of the study
1. There is epidemiological evidence that some herpes viruses favor the occurrence of multiple sclerosis (MS).
2. The incidence of MS spread varies according to geographical location and income.
3. In this study, researchers found a significantly higher but still lower risk for MS after one year of shingles or herpes zoster infection.
4. There is evidence that 30 percent of relapses in MS patients are associated with a contagious disease.

Formation of multiple sclerosis still unclear
The exact development of multiple sclerosis has not been fully explored to this day. However, it is clear that the body's immune system attacks myelin sheaths in the central nervous system. Why the cells are led to such a mishap is still unclear. Some researchers suggest that random similarity of antigens to viruses causes the immune system to produce reactive antibodies. Herpesviruses have been suspected for some time. In addition to genetic factors, environmental influences and viral infectious diseases also play a major role in the development. (Sb)

Also read:
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Treat shingles on the ear quickly
MS diagnosis: recognize first symptoms
New drug approved for multiple sclerosis
Multiple Sclerosis thrusts often in the summer

Image: Dieter Schütz