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Herpes Zoster and Multiple Sclerosis

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  05 August 2019

R.T. Ross ,
Mary Cheang ,
Gail Landry ,
Loressa Klassen  and
Kathy Doerksen
R.T. Ross*
Affiliation:
Section of Neurology, University of Manitoba and Health Sciences Centre, Winnipeg
Mary Cheang
Affiliation:
Biostatistical Consulting Unit, Community Health Sciences, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg
Gail Landry
Affiliation:
Section of Neurology, Health Sciences Centre, Winnipeg
Loressa Klassen
Affiliation:
Section of Neurology, Health Sciences Centre, Winnipeg
Kathy Doerksen
Affiliation:
Section of Neurosurgery, Health Sciences Centre, Winnipeg
*
Section of Neurosurgery, Health Sciences Centre, GF535-820 Sherbrook Street, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada R3A IR9
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Abstract:

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Background:

Clinical experience suggests that young multiple sclerosis patients may have herpes zoster (HZ) earlier and more often than the general population. As there is evidence of a relationship between varicella zoster virus (VZV) and MS, a study of HZ and MS was undertaken.

Methods:

Eight hundred and twenty-nine patient-members of the Manitoba Chapter of the Canadian Multiple Sclerosis Society were surveyed by mail. Six hundred and thirty-three (76%) responded. Questions included: age at diagnosis of MS, history of HZ (yes, no, probably), number of episodes of HZ and age at each occurrence, date of birth, and sex of respondent. The controls were consecutive patients with other neurological diseases (OND) attending local neurological or neurosurgical clinics, plus practice-based and population-based surveys of herpes zoster without reference to any other disease. The OND controls were assessed at the time of their outpatient visits.

Results:

In the MS group with a positive/probable history of HZ, the HZ/MS rate was 106/633 (16.8%); in the practice-based survey the rate was 192/3534 (5.4%); and among the patients with OND it was 42/616 (6.8%). The HZ occurred at an earlier age in the MS group. The majority of male patients had HZ prior to the diagnosis of MS. The date of diagnosis is more likely to be a precise memory as opposed to the onset of symptoms. More than one attack of HZ was also more common in the MS group.

Conclusions:

This survey adds to the evidence that patients with MS have a unique relationship with the herpes zoster virus.

Résumé:

Résumé:<span class='italic'>Introduction:</span>

L'expérience clinique suggère que les jeunes patients atteints de sclérose en plaques (SEP) sont susceptibles de souffrir du zona plus tôt et plus souvent que la population en général. Comme il semble exister une relation entre l'herpesvirus varicellae (HVV) et la SEP, nous avons effectué une étude sur le zona et la SEP.

<span class='italic'>Méthodes:</span>

Notre enquête postale a porté sur huit cent vingt-neuf patients, membres du chapitre manitobain de la Société canadienne de la sclérose en plaques. Six cent trente-trois patients (76%) ont répondu. Les questions suivantes figuraient au questionnaire: l'âge au moment du diagnostic de SEP, l'histoire de zona (oui, non, probablement), le nombre d'épisodes de zona et l'âge au moment de chaque épisode, la date de naissance et le sexe des répondants. Des patients atteints d'autres maladies neurologiques (AMN), qui se sont présentés de façon consécutive à une clinique neurologique ou neurochirurgicale locale, des études en milieu extrahospitalier et des études de population sur le zona sans référence à toute autre maladie, ont servi de contrôles. Les contrôles AMN ont été évalués au moment de leur visite à la clinique externe.

<span class='italic'>Résultats:</span>

Dans le groupe SEP ayant une histoire positive/probable de zona, le taux de zona/SEP était de 106/633 (16.8%); dans l'étude extra-hospitalière le taux était de 192/3534 (5.4%); et parmi les patients AMN il était de 42/616 (6.8%). Le zona se retrouve à un âge plus précoce dans le groupe SEP. La majorité des hommes avaient eu leur zona avant le diagnostic de SEP. La date du diagnostic était plus susceptible d'être un souvenir précis contrairement au début des symptômes. Il était plus fréquent d'observer plus d'un épisode de zona dans le groupe SEP.

<span class='italic'>Conclusions:</span>

Cette étude appuie l'observations que les patients qui ont une SEP ont une relation particulière avec le virus de l'Herpes Zoster.

Type
Original Articles
Information
Canadian Journal of Neurological Sciences , Volume 26 , Issue 1 , February 1999 , pp. 29 - 32
Copyright
Copyright © The Canadian Journal of Neurological 1999

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