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.