EPILEPSY ETIOLOGY WITH SPECIAL EMPHASIS ON IMMUNE DYSFUNCTION AND NEUROVIROLOGY

The etiology of epilepsy remains in most cases an enigma, Based on the finding of a genetically dependent immune dysfunction in focal epilep sies, brain specimens from 16 patients, ranging in age from 6 to 39 ye ars and operated on for therapy-resistant focal, mainly temporal lobe epilepsy were analyzed for the presence of viral DNA, The PCR techniqu e was used for detection of viral DNA from the herpes virus group, HSV -1 was found in 44%, CMV in 50%, and HHV-6 in 25%. Three patients were positive for more than one of these viruses, The control material, co nsisting of only 4 brain tissue samples, showed DNA from HSV-1 in one case, Until more brain samples from controls have been examined, cauti on must be taken before a viral etiology is applied to focal epilepsy.