Human Herpes Virus 6 May Increase Risk of MS, Study Suggests

January 5, 2018 – Iranian researchers have identified another herpes virus that may increase the risk of a person developing multiple sclerosis.

The team identified the human herpesvirus 6, or HHV6, as a potential risk factor for MS through a meta-analysis of several studies.

They published their findings, “Relationship of Human Herpes Virus 6 and Multiple Sclerosis: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis,” in the Journal of Cellular Physiology.

Scientists have found links between other human herpes viruses and MS, especially the Epstein-Barr virus, also known as human herpesvirus 4.

Recent studies had also suggested a relationship between HHV6 and MS, but the findings have been controversial.

An Iranian team did a meta-analysis of studies published between October 1992 and September 2016 to see if they could shed more light on whether HHV6 and MS are connected. The found 39 studies that they considered suitable for their project.

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