We use cookies to understand how you use our site and to improve your experience. This includes personalizing content and advertising. To learn more, click here. By continuing to use our site, you accept our use of cookies. Cookie Policy.

Features Partner Sites Information LinkXpress hp
Sign In
Advertise with Us

Download Mobile App




Epstein-Barr Virus Increases Risk of MS

By LabMedica International staff writers
Posted on 15 Sep 2017
While being infected at a young age with Epstein-Barr virus generally causes few, if any, symptoms, delayed exposure into adolescence or adulthood can cause infectious mononucleosis with symptoms that can be quite severe.

Caucasians, Hispanics and African-Americans who have had infectious mononucleosis, commonly known as mono, which is caused by Epstein-Barr virus, may have an increased risk of multiple sclerosis (MS). More...
Independent of other factors that could affect MS risk, such as sex, age, smoking and genetic ancestry, the risk of MS for those who had mono was higher than for those who had not.

A team of scientists working with those at Kaiser Permanente Southern California (Pasadena, CA, USA) recruited 1,090 African-Americans, Hispanic and white people, over a three-year period, with each group having a near balance of healthy people to people with MS or its precursor, called clinically isolated syndrome. Participants had blood tests to check for the Epstein-Barr virus antibody and were asked whether they had ever had mono. Incident cases of MS or its precursor, clinically isolated syndrome (CIS), and matched controls (African-Americans, 111 cases/128 controls; Hispanics, 173/187; whites, 235/256) were included in the study.

Epstein-Barr nuclear antigen-1 (EBNA-1) seropositivity was independently associated with an increased odds of MS/CIS in all three racial/ethnic groups. In contrast, cytomegalovirus (CMV) seropositivity was associated with a lower risk of MS/CIS in Hispanics, but not in blacks or whites. Among African-Americans, 12/111 (11%)of the people with MS, , had mono in the past, compared to 4/128 people who did not have MS,(3%). For Hispanics, 13/173 people (8%) with MS, had mono in the past, compared to 3/187 people (2%) who did not have MS.. Among whites, 48/235 (20%) people with MS, had mono in the past, compared percent to 30/256 people (12%), of those without the disease.

The authors concluded that The consistency of EBNA-1 seropositivity with MS across racial/ethnic groups and between studies points to a strong biological link between EBV infection and MS risk. The association between past CMV infection and MS risk supports the broader hygiene hypothesis, but the inconsistency of this association across racial/ethnic groups implies non-causal associations.

Annette Langer-Gould, MD, PhD, the lead author of the study, said, “While many people had Epstein-Barr virus antibodies in their blood, we found among all three groups, people who also developed mono in their teen years or later had a greater risk of MS. This implies that delaying Epstein-Barr virus infection into adolescence or adulthood may be a critical risk factor for MS.” The study was published on August 30, 2017, in the journal Neurology.

Related Links:
Kaiser Permanente Southern California


Gold Member
Hematology Analyzer
Medonic M32B
Collection and Transport System
PurSafe Plus®
Laboratory Software
ArtelWare
New
Silver Member
PCR Plates
Diamond Shell PCR Plates
Read the full article by registering today, it's FREE! It's Free!
Register now for FREE to LabMedica.com and get access to news and events that shape the world of Clinical Laboratory Medicine.
  • Free digital version edition of LabMedica International sent by email on regular basis
  • Free print version of LabMedica International magazine (available only outside USA and Canada).
  • Free and unlimited access to back issues of LabMedica International in digital format
  • Free LabMedica International Newsletter sent every week containing the latest news
  • Free breaking news sent via email
  • Free access to Events Calendar
  • Free access to LinkXpress new product services
  • REGISTRATION IS FREE AND EASY!
Click here to Register








Channels

Hematology

view channel
Image: New evidence shows viscoelastic testing can improve assessment of blood clotting during postpartum hemorrhage (Photo courtesy of 123RF)

Viscoelastic Testing Could Improve Treatment of Maternal Hemorrhage

Postpartum hemorrhage, severe bleeding after childbirth, remains one of the leading causes of maternal mortality worldwide, yet many of these deaths are preventable. Standard care can be hindered by delays... Read more

Immunology

view channel
Image: The CloneSeq-SV approach can allow researchers to study how cells within high-grade serous ovarian cancer change over time (Photo courtesy of MSK)

Blood Test Tracks Treatment Resistance in High-Grade Serous Ovarian Cancer

High-grade serous ovarian cancer (HGSOC) is often diagnosed at an advanced stage because it spreads microscopically throughout the abdomen, and although initial surgery and chemotherapy can work, most... Read more

Industry

view channel
Image: The enhanced collaboration builds upon the successful launch of the AmplideX Nanopore Carrier Plus Kit in March 2025 (Photo courtesy of Bio-Techne)

Bio-Techne and Oxford Nanopore to Accelerate Development of Genetics Portfolio

Bio-Techne Corporation (Minneapolis, MN, USA) has expanded its agreement with Oxford Nanopore Technologies (Oxford, UK) to broaden Bio-Techne's ability to develop a portfolio of genetic products on Oxford... Read more
Copyright © 2000-2025 Globetech Media. All rights reserved.