Multiple sclerosis (MS) and general autoimmunity

MULTIPLE

HeinzJef

SCLEROSIS

(MS) AND GLN&RAL

Q. Johmet C, Verdier-Taikfu

Sazdovitch Frevious

V, Toumiu-W

M-H, CaiUat-Zucnuo

E. Rod&

J2, MpiIal

studies have shown an incrrard

of extra-ncurologic

auk+immunity

frcqmq

(AIM)

NO EVIDENCE OF RBLATIONSHH’ BBTWBBN THE INFECTION BY HTLV-1 AND MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS IN S/C DE TBNBRIFB

AUTOIMMUNITY

S, Bcrcrut

G, Weil

B,

MA.

Tama, Paris, Fmnx of clii

and biologjcal

in MS. We mugbt

markers

to -demmine

Aim8: The etiology of Multiple Sclerosis (MS), remains unknown. The fact that a number of viruses cause demyelinization in animals and humans suggests that this factor is likely a virus. Recently, an association of HTLV-1 with MS has been proposed. To study the existence of infection by HTLV-1 in patients with MS in the province of S/C de Tenerife.

if MS

patientswitbAIMfotmedambgmupwilbdiImeMchuaQerirtiafmmh4Scolltrds wwilhout

AIM

pamel

callsecutivc

of organ

intlammation,

&8initeMSpaIkntafmmourclinkmJcttrtedfora

- mdrlon-u~-.-of~nnal

including

mum

iw

and -meat

HLA

bapiotypcs

WC~daenniocdby~C(ypiIlguda~6Mily~~tlten.Carcs

(n=57)

had an other auto-itnmune

mmm aulo-m items. Cam

d*ercwD)asmciHdIoMsudlualkasIone

at a signflcaol

level. f2zdmls

bad a laler age at onset (33.7LZ9.g

(rF172) yam,

p=.Ol) and bad lower c3, c4. and Iol8l mt adjustment tpe,

for age. the relation

EDSS, immw@atulin

not different family biological subgroup

to *

hmry

than DIU-negMivc

mulrm

Dlu-positiw

dtk p&cats

amtmls (2S.9114.6

of autcknmuaity

of DR3-positin

k&s

MS pUmta

and @

-

for ulac

olda

baplotyp

A axrelation is pmem impkted

Methods: We have studied by means of Elisa test, the incidence of antibodies against HTLV-1, both in serum and CSF coupled samples in 30 clinically definite MS patients, 16 female (53%) and 14 male (47%). The remitting-relapssing form: 17 (57%); and remitting-pmgresive form: 13 (43%).

Mer

Evoh~tjve wre

bad a more fbquem ioa

hbtl

(48.U43.4.

aignikmt.

DRBl-I501

+& pc.02).

may k tcacd for -

Mc

@c.Ol, tbm coalmia.

at omat was no bngu

levels aad faquacy

in casea and mntrds.

lvsn negative p-.01).

Hcm&ndez, J.N. Lorenzo, J.M. Togores, J. Garcia Talavera’ pmcio de Naurmop.nap. La aado(ua Tcmrtfe,sptn savisgde~HO(P.L~T~.Spm

AID

buwen in MS ; the

in dim

auto-

Results: In serum and CSF samples analyzed, has not been founded the antibodies against HTLV-1 independetly of the clinical form.

immune discapa.

Conclusions: Our results allow us therefore to conclude that there is not infection by HTLV-1, in MS patients in the province of S/C de Tenerife.

METHYLPREDNISOLONE

AND OSTEOPOROSIS IN MS

P.J.H. Jonnen, C.A.J. Smit, G. Borm, O.R. van Eikema Hommes. Institute for Neurology, University Hospital Nijmegen, The Netherlands. We investigated the effect of repeated metbylprednisolone (MP) treatment on bone density in MS, as well as relations between clinical characteristics and bone density. In 161 patients with definite MS, 99 females and 62 males, bone densities of vertebrae Ll-L5 were measured on CTdensitometry; in each patient the mean value was compared to reference values and the SD of its deviation used as measure for osteoporosis. In a multivariant model bone density was correlatively studied with respect to: age, age of disease onset, cumulative MP dose, average time-interval between two MP treatments, Kurtzke FSS, and EDSS. In male patients bone density was -0.92 + 0.85 (SD), and none of the clinical variables correlated with bone density. In the female group bone density was -0.26 It 1.09, and it was negatively correlated to cumulative MP dose, FSS score, and age of disease onset. It was calculated that in females, on average, 10 gram MP effects bone density by -0.08 to +O.Ol SD. 1 point FSS by -0.15 to -0.01 SD, and 10 years earlier disease onset, by +O.lO to +0.52 SD. So, in female patients there is a slight negative effect of MP on bone density, whether this is the first or n’th course administered. Our data indicate that female patients with young age of disease onset, high FSS, and having had multiple MP treatments, may develop serious osteoporosis on repeated MP courses.

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