Reported March 26, 2003

WASHINGTON (Ivanhoe Newswire) -- New research shows there may be an association between the Epstein-Barr virus and the development of multiple sclerosis.

Epstein-Barr virus is a herpes-like virus that causes infectious mononucleosis, a type of viral illness typically called "mono." The virus is also associated with Burkitt's lymphoma and nasopharyngeal cancer.

Researchers conducted a study using blood samples collected several years before the onset of multiple sclerosis. They wanted to determine whether antibodies to Epstein-Barr virus are elevated before multiple sclerosis develops. Participants included more than 3 million U.S. military personnel. Among them, 83 cases were identified as individuals granted temporary or permanent disability due to multiple sclerosis. Each of these cases were matched with two cases of healthy participants.

Results of the study show antibodies to Epstein-Barr virus were consistently higher among participants who later developed multiple sclerosis. The authors write, "Similarly strong positive associations between EBV antibodies and risk of MS were already present in samples collected five or more years before MS onset." These findings suggest a long lag time between EBV infection and occurrence of multiple sclerosis.

Researchers have examined the relationship between Epstein-Barr virus and multiple sclerosis for 20 years but results have not been consistent. About 350,000 Americans have multiple sclerosis. It is an autoimmune disease, meaning the body's immune system, which normally targets and destroys foreign substances, mistakenly attacks normal tissues. The cause of MS is unknown.

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SOURCE: Journal of the American Medical Association, 2003;289:1533-1536

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