Human herpes virus 6 and multiple sclerosis.

OBJECTIVES

To systematically review the published evidence for a relationship between human herpes virus 6 (HHV-6) and multiple sclerosis (MS).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The medical literature was searched using MEDLINE and the Cochrane database. Retrieved studies are presented according to the experimental technique(s) used. The studies are rated for quality using a priori defined criteria.

RESULTS

Twenty-eight studies were retrieved. A total of 12 different experimental techniques were used. Four of these techniques provided evidence for a relationship between HHV-6 and MS, but none were able to show a causative relationship.

CONCLUSIONS

The available literature provides some support for a relationship between HHV-6 and MS. The limitations of the available studies and directions for future research are discussed.