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Previously reported serologic and polymerase chain reaction(PCR)-based findings have suggested an association between the human retrovirus,HTLV- I,and multiple sclerosis(MS).Due to the inherent ability of PCR to produce false-positive results,we developed a set of physical and procedural safeguards to minimize the possibility of molecular carryover.These were applied as part of a blinded,large-scale,multipopulation,multiplex PCR- based study designed to examine this issue of association.Our results do not support the hypothesis that HTLV-I,which plays a role in the pathogenesis of an encephalomyeloneuropathy,HTLV-II,or closely related agents are associated with MS.A concomitant review of the current literature supports this view. |
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