TYPE C-LIKE HUMAN RETROVIRUS LINKED TO MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS (MS)

摘要

The present invention relates to a type C-like human retrovirus. In nested PCR analysis using high stringency PCR conditions and primer pairs and probes used for HIV-I or HTLV-I detection, no genomic sequences are detectable; in immunofluorescence analysis, antibodies directed against HTLV-I antigens p19 or p24 or the retroviruses MuLV, SSV-1 (p28), FeLV or RD114 do not bind. When performed on purified retrovirus-containing material, reverse transcriptase activity is detectable. A cell culture which additionally is infected with a herpes group virus which enhances the production of the retrovirus has been deposited. Within the scope of the present invention is diagnostic agents comprising genomic fragments of the retrovirus which can be used as nucleotide probes in PCR and diagnostic agents comprising retroviral antigens capable of binding antibodies specific for the retrovirus which can be used for the diagnosis of multiple sclerosis as well as a method for obtaining a protective immunity against multiple sclerosis comprising administering a vaccine against Epstein-Barr virus.