SEROEPIDEMIOLOGY OF HEPATITIS B IN MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS PATIENTS: A CASE-CONTROL STUDY

Abstract Background: The etiology of multiple sclerosis (MS) is still not fully understood. Infectious agents are believed to play a role in the development of this multifactorial disease. The aim of this study was comparison of HBsAg and HBsAb in multiple sclerosis patients and control group. Methods: We conducted a case-control study within the Multiple Sclerosis Database in Isfahan. Forty multiple sclerosis patients and forty people of their neighbors (as control group) were include in the study. We evaluate the plasma levels of HBsAg and HBsAb in both groups. Statistical analysis was performed by SPSS16 using Independent sample t-test and chi-square test. We considered P 0.05). Conclusion: The findings indicate no association between plasma levels of HBsAg and multiple sclerosis. Keywords: Seroepidemiology, Hepatitis B, Multiple Sclerosis.