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Does epstein-barr virus cause multiple sclerosis?

Stuart D Cook1

  • 1Department of Neurology and Neurosciences, New Jersey Medical School, University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, Newark, NJ, USA.

Reviews in Neurological Diseases
|January 10, 2006
PubMed

Insights

Multiple sclerosis (MS) etiology is unknown, but Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection is a potential environmental cause. Research reviews evidence suggesting EBV

Area of Science:

  • Neuroimmunology
  • Virology
  • Epidemiology

Background:

  • The exact cause of multiple sclerosis (MS) remains elusive.
  • Genetic and environmental factors are implicated in MS development.
  • Infectious agents are considered potential environmental triggers for MS.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review evidence linking Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection to multiple sclerosis (MS).
  • To evaluate EBV as a potential causative agent in MS etiology.

Main Methods:

  • Review of epidemiologic data.
  • Analysis of studies on persistent EBV infection in B lymphocytes.
  • Examination of known neurologic complications of EBV.
  • Assessment of serologic studies and genome identification attempts.

Main Results:

  • Growing evidence suggests MS may be a complication of EBV infection.
  • Data reviewed supports EBV as a leading candidate in MS causation.
  • The association between EBV and MS is not yet definitively proven.

Conclusions:

  • Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is a significant candidate for causing multiple sclerosis (MS).
  • Further research is needed to confirm the definitive role of EBV in MS etiology.

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