Insha Zahoor
India
Review Article
Human Immunodeficiency Virus and Multiple Sclerosis Risk: Probing for a Connection
Author(s): Mushfiquddin Khan, Insha Zahoor and Ehtisham-ul HaqMushfiquddin Khan, Insha Zahoor and Ehtisham-ul Haq
Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a chronic autoimmune inflammatory disease of the nervous system, with intense genetic and environmental background. Its etiologyis are poorly understood and likely multi factorial but its epidemiology has been intensively studied. This complex disease displays heterogeneity in terms of geographic and genetic influences on incidence, insinuating an effect of local unknown environmental factors on its development. Among numerous potential factors putatively involved in the etiopathogenesis of MS, retroviruses appear to influence MS. The intent of this review is to highlight the association between human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and the risk of developing MS while at the same time providing an overview of the insights gleaned from different studies. HIV infection is associated with a reduced risk of MS development, and perhaps, appears to be another wedge o.. View More»