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Epstein-Barr virus, latitude and multiple sclerosis

Giulio Disanto1, Julia Pakpoor, Julia M Morahan

  • 1Wellcome Trust Centre for Human Genetics, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK.

Multiple Sclerosis (Houndmills, Basingstoke, England)
|July 7, 2012
PubMed

Insights

Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection is linked to multiple sclerosis (MS). EBV positivity increases with latitude, suggesting geographical factors influence EBV

Area of Science:

  • Neuroimmunology
  • Viral Immunology

Background:

  • Multiple sclerosis (MS) prevalence correlates with latitude.
  • Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is strongly associated with MS aetiology.
  • Nearly all MS patients exhibit serological evidence of past EBV infection.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the relationship between EBV seropositivity and latitude.
  • To determine if EBV seropositivity increases with distance from the equator.

Main Methods:

  • Cross-sectional study design.
  • Analysis of EBV seropositivity rates across different latitudes.
  • Statistical analysis to assess the association between latitude and EBV positivity, controlling for MS status.

Main Results:

  • A significant positive association was found between latitude and EBV seropositivity (OR = 1.06, 95% CI = 1.02-1.09, p = 0.002).
  • This association was independent of multiple sclerosis status.
  • The proportion of EBV positive individuals increases with increasing distance from the equator.

Conclusions:

  • Latitude-associated factors may influence the immune response to EBV.
  • Geographical variations in EBV infection patterns could play a role in the aetiology of multiple sclerosis.

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