The Relationship Between Measles Virus and Multiple Sclerosis: A Comprehensive and Extensive Review

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic autoimmune condition that causes damage to the central nervous system (CNS) and it is responsible for more than ۲.۹ million cases globally. In ۲۰۲۳, the worldwide prevalence of MS has been estimated to be around ۳۵.۹ per ۱۰۰,۰۰۰ people. The role of measles virus (Measles virus) has been indicated as one of the infectious factors leading to the pathogenesis of MS, with especial attention given to the increased concentration of anti-measles antibodies in MS patients, as well as to the intrathecal reaction against Measles, Rubella, and Zoster viruses (MRZR). In general, the data of recent studies, for example, ۲۰۲۴ meta-analyses, suggest very high specificity for MRZR (۹۷.۸%) in the case of MS but do not confirm a direct causal relationship. Nonetheless, the role of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is still considered more prominent. It has been found that MMR vaccination is neither a cause of MS nor may it be even helpful in preventing the disease with OR ۱.۰۲ (۹۵% CI ۰.۶۴-۱.۶۱). This comprehensive review employs epidemiological, serological, and meta-analysis studies from ۲۰۲۰-۲۰۲۵ to analyze the link between measles virus and MS, to present global prevalence statistics and tendencies, to examine the impact of vaccination.

کلیدواژه ها:

Multiple sclerosis ، vaccination ، measles ، Epstein-Barr virus