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Updated: Jul 15, 2026
Isolation and Quantification of Epstein-Barr Virus from the P3HR1 Cell Line
Published on: September 28, 2022
Correlations between Epstein-Barr virus antibody levels and risk factors for multiple sclerosis in healthy
T R Nielsen1, M Pedersen, K Rostgaard
1Department of Epidemiology Research, Statens Serum Institut, 2300 Copenhagen, Denmark. trn@ssi.dk
Background:
Female gender, human leukocyte antigen (HLA) DR2, tobacco smoking and Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) are established risk factors for multiple sclerosis (MS). Their possible interaction however, has been sparsely studied.
Objectives:
To investigate possible associations between EBV antibody levels and a range of other recognized MS risk factors. DESIGN, SETTING AND STUDY POPULATION: Cross-sectional study undertaken in Denmark based on 517 healthy individuals selected from the Danish population.
Methods:
We measured change in mean log (anti-Epstein-Barr viral capsid antigen (VCA) immune globulin G) using linear regression.
Results:
Anti-Epstein-Barr VCA immune globulin G levels were positively correlated with female gender and HLA DR2. Furthermore, current smoking and cumulative tobacco consumption were positively associated with EBV antibody levels.
Conclusion:
The association between Epstein-Barr VCA antibody levels and non-viral MS risk factors support the view that EBV is critically involved in the etiology of MS. These non-viral MS risk factors may be linked with MS risk through EBV-specific immune responses.
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