VARICELLA-ZOSTER VIRUS AND MULTIPLE-SCLEROSIS IN A HUTTERITE POPULATION

There are similarities between multiple sclerosis and varicella. They are common in the same parts of the world and both are scarce in other areas. Immigration studies suggest the environmental cause of multipl e sclerosis (MS) must be contracted prior to age 15 years and will usu ally remain dormant for years. At age 10 years varicella has occurred in greater than 95% of children living in the high-risk areas for both of these diseases. The varicella tester virus (VZV) could be etiologi cally important in multiple sclerosis. The known host containment of t he virus for decades with recrudescence and the variable cell-mediated immunity of the host, which can wax and wane without clinical manifes tations, all lend themselves to the natural history of multiple sclero sis. A population-based study of the medical records of 5601 Hutterite Brethren was performed to determine the occurrence of multiple sclero sis, varicella, and herpes tester. Compared to their matched non-Hutte rite neighbors who acted as controls, these events were significantly less common among the Hutterites. Included in the study was an assessm ent of other common neurological diseases and ''autoimmune'' diseases among the Hutterites and the controls. There is evidence of a relation ship between MS and VZV that may not be coincidental.