Hottenrott et al. Fluids Barriers CNS (2017) 14:2 DOI 10.1186/s12987-016-0049-7

Fluids and Barriers of the CNS Open Access

RESEARCH

The MRZ reaction in primary progressive multiple sclerosis Tilman Hottenrott1*, Rick Dersch1, Benjamin Berger1, Sebastian Rauer1,3, Daniela Huzly2 and Oliver Stich1

Abstract  Background:  The MRZ reaction (MRZR), composed of the three antibody indices (AI) against measles, rubella and varicella zoster virus and found positive in the majority of relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) patients, is absent in other inflammatory neurological diseases (OIND). So far, it has been uncertain whether its differential diagnostic promise extends to patients with primary-progressive multiple sclerosis (PPMS). Objective:  To investigate the prevalence of MRZR in PPMS compared to RRMS and OIND patients. Methods:  MRZR was assessed in patients with PPMS (n = 103), RRMS (n = 100) and OIND (n = 48). Both stringency levels for MRZR testing, MRZR-1 (≥1 AI positive) and MRZR-2 (≥2 AI positive), were applied. Results:  Prevalence of positive MRZR-1 was 83.5% in PPMS and 67.8% in RRMS (p