Exploring the link between the herpes simplex virus and migraine: A comparative study

Background : The trigemino-cerebrovascular system is recognized as a key anatomical structure playing a crucial role in the pathophysiology of migraine. It is also well established that the herpes simplex virus (HSV) resides within the trigeminal ganglion. Previous studies have emphasized the role of infectious inflammatory conditions in migraine. We hypothesize the potential involvement of HSV infection in migraine pathology. Method This study employed a case–control design to investigate the association between plasma HSV type 1 and 2 IgM and IgG antibodies and migraine. A total of 111 subjects were selected from patients referred to the Neurology Clinic at Tehran's Shariati Hospital, including 57 migraine cases and 54 healthy controls. Participants completed questionnaires covering demographic data and migraine severity. Blood samples were collected from all participants, and HSV-1 and HSV-2 IgM and IgG antibody levels were assessed using the VIRCELL Herpes Simplex Virus I and II ELISA IgG/IgM kit. Results The prevalence of HSV-1 seropositivity was 70.18% (40 of 57) in participants with migraine, which was significantly higher compared to 51.85% (28 of 54) in the control group ( p = 0.48). HSV-1 seropositivity was associated with a 2.185-fold increase in the odds of having migraine (OR = 2.185, 95% CI: 1.002–4.762). However, the quantitative analysis of HSV-1 IgG levels in relation to migraine severity scores did not show statistical significance. Conclusion The observed association strengthens the hypothesis of the potential role of HSV in the pathophysiology of migraine. Our findings suggest that targeting HSV-1 could be a promising strategy for developing new treatments for migraine prophylaxis.