PhD project This thesis project studies seropositivity as a risk factor for later development of multiple sclerosis with respect to measles, mumps and rubella virus infection and vaccination. Further aims are to study if early seropositivity is associated with CNS damage prior to MS onset using serum biomarkers for CNS degradation, and if seropositivity towards these viruses correlates to certain MS phenotypes.
As mass vaccinations against measles, mumps and rubella virus were introduced, studies on these viruses and their relation to MS diminished as infection became rare while incidence of MS did not diminish. Furthermore, the elucidation of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) as a strong risk factor shifted the paradigm in MS virology towards EBV and later human herpes virus 6A. There are, however, unsolved questions. This project uses updated methods for sample analyses and the possibility to examine over 40 years of standardised vaccinations, as well as samples from the pre-vaccination era.
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an inflammatory disease of the central nervous system, and may cause severe loss of physical as well as cognitive funtion in patients, contributing to extensive medical costs to society. No causative agent has been found; instead, an array of genetic and environmental risk factors have been shown to contribute to MS development. These include viruses such as human herpes virus 6A and Epstein-Barr virus, smoking and vitamin D-deficiency. Previous studies have also indicated connections between measles, mumps and rubella viruses and MS.
As vaccinations against these viruses were introduced, studies on them in the field of MS diminished as infection became rare in developed countries. However, there are still unanswered questions. We propose to revive this area using updated methods for sample analyses and the possibility to examine over 40 years of standardised vaccinations, as well as samples from the pre-vaccination era, in a large material from a country with high vaccine coverage.
