Prevalence of salivary human herpesviruses in pediatric multiple sclerosis cases and controls

Background:Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a multifactorial disease of unknown origin. The current paradigm is that disease develops in genetically susceptible individuals, influenced by environmental factors. Epstein–Barr virus (EBV) and human herpesvirus 6 (HHV-6) have particularly strong associations with the disease. Both viruses are typically acquired during childhood, decades before MS presents. However, in patients with pediatric MS, the temporal window between viral acquisition and disease onset is shortened, which may provide insights into the association of herpesviruses with MS.Objective:To compare the frequency of EBV and HHV-6 in the saliva of a cohort of pediatric MS patients and age-matched controls.Methods:The study enrolled 32 pediatric MS patients and 42 controls and evaluated saliva for HHV-6 u57 and EBV lmp-1 amplification by droplet digital polymerase chain reaction (ddPCR).Results:Pediatric MS patients did not differ from controls in the frequency or magnitude of salivary viral shedding. ...