This U.S. study found EBV exposure to be associated with increased MS risk.
Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) exposure appears to be a necessary permissive step in the development of multiple sclerosis (MS). Investigators studied the association between EBV and MS among different races/ethnicities in patients enrolled in Kaiser Permanente Southern California. Each case was matched with at least one control. Serum IgG antibodies were measured against the EBV viral capsid antigen, EB nuclear antigen-1 (EBNA-1), EBV early antigen, and cytomegalovirus (CMV). DNA samples were obtained for HLA genotyping.
Cases included 235 non-Hispanic white, 111 black, and 173 Hispanic patients. CMV positivity was significantly higher among Hispanic controls than cases, but did not differ between cases and controls among blacks or whites. White …
Reviewing Author
DisclosuresConsultant/Advisory BoardAlexion Pharmaceuticals; Amgen; Astoria; Biogen; Bristol Myers Squibb; Celltrion; Genentech; Hoffmann-La Roche; Genzyme; EMD Serono; Immpact-Bio; Immunic Therapeutics; Kyverna; Lundbeck; Novartis; Sandoz; TG Therapeutics
Grant/Research SupportNational Institutes of Health; National Multiple Sclerosis Society; U.S. Department of Defense
Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesConsortium of Multiple Sclerosis Centers (Treasurer)
DisclosuresConsultant/Advisory BoardAlexion Pharmaceuticals; Amgen; Astoria; Biogen; Bristol Myers Squibb; Celltrion; Genentech; Hoffmann-La Roche; Genzyme; EMD Serono; Immpact-Bio; Immunic Therapeutics; Kyverna; Lundbeck; Novartis; Sandoz; TG Therapeutics
Grant/Research SupportNational Institutes of Health; National Multiple Sclerosis Society; U.S. Department of Defense
Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesConsortium of Multiple Sclerosis Centers (Treasurer)