Measles and canine distemper antibody. Presence in sera from patients with multiple sclerosis and matched control subjects

D. L. Madden, W. C. Wallen, S. A. Houff, I. C. Shekarchi, P. O. Leinikki, G. A. Castellano and J. L. Sever

Antibody to measles virus and canine distemper virus (CDV) was demonstrated in sera from patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) and from carefully matched control subjects. Elevated measles and CDV antibody titers were found in patients with MS when compared with the matched control subjects. The correlation between the measles and CDV antibody titers was quite high, suggesting that the antibody levels between the two viruses are very closely related. Based on the results of our study and a review of the literature, our conclusion is that the CDV antibody levels in patients with MS and matched control subjects are associated with occurrence of measles virus antibodies.