Polyspecific, antiviral immune response distinguishes multiple sclerosis and neuromyelitis optica

Background: A polyspecific, intrathecal humoral immune response
against neurotropic viruses such as measles, rubella and varicella
zoster virus (MRZ reaction, MRZR) is present in 80--100% of
patients with multiple sclerosis (MS), but has not to date been
evaluated in patients with neuromyelitis optica (NMO).Aims: To
evaluate whether MRZR distinguishes NMO and MS.Methods: 20 patients
with NMO and 42 with MS were included. The intrathecal synthesis of
antibodies against measles, rubella and varicella zoster virus was
detected by calculation of the respective antibody indices
(AI).Results: A positive MRZ reaction, as defined by a combination
of at least two positive AIs, was found in 37/42 MS, but in only
1/20 NMO patients (p