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Possible Relations Between Epstein-Barr Virus Past Infection and Classic Multiple Sclerosis in Guilan, Iran
Hamidreza Honarmand1, Masoumeh Ahmadi Jalali Moghadam2, Hamidreza Hatamian3
1Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Guilan University of Medical Sciences, Rasht, IR Iran.
Background:
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a demyelinating condition affecting the central nervous system. Although the cause of this condition is unknown, patients with MS seem to have genetic vulnerability to certain environmental factors such as infection that could trigger this condition.
Objectives:
We conducted this study to determine whether MS risk increases following primary infection with Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) and also to investigate any association between MS and seropositivity to anti-EBNA-1 IgG, anti-EBV-CA IgG, and anti-EBV-EA.
Patients And Methods:
EBV infection was confirmed using the Enzyme-Linked Immunoassay in the patient (n = 46) and control (n = 46) groups via commercial assays (anti-EBNA-1 IgG, anti-EBV-CA IgG, and anti-EBV-EA kits). The data were analyzed by using three statistical tests (Pearson chi-square, Spearman rho correlation, and odds ratio).
Results:
Seropositivity to anti-EBNA-1 IgG did not show a significant difference between the patient and control groups (92.9% and 88.4%, respectively), and nor was seropositivity to anti-EBV-CA IgG different between the two groups (95.2% and 95.3%, consequently). The anti-EBV-EA-D test was negative in all the patients and in 95.3% of the controls. Seropositivity to both anti-EBNA-1 and anti-EBV-CA indicating past infection did not show significant associations with the later development of MS (Pearson chi-square asymptotic significance [Asymp. Sig.] [2-sided] = 0.317, Spearman's rho correlation test Sig. [2-sided] = 0.689, odds ratio = 1.95).
Conclusions:
Seropositivity to both EBNA1- IgG and EBV-CA- IgG did not show a causal association with MS. The findings of this study suggest that EBV past infection could not be a causative factor in the development of MS and a protective factor against classic MS.
Insights
Past Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection, indicated by seropositivity to EBNA-1 IgG and EBV-CA IgG, does not appear to cause multiple sclerosis (MS). This study suggests EBV infection is not a causative factor for MS development.
Area of Science:
- Neuroimmunology
- Virology
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a central nervous system demyelinating disease with unknown etiology.
- Genetic predisposition and environmental factors, such as infections, are suspected triggers for MS.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) primary infection and the risk of developing MS.
- To examine the correlation between MS and seropositivity to specific EBV antibodies: anti-EBNA-1 IgG, anti-EBV-CA IgG, and anti-EBV-EA.
Main Methods:
- Enzyme-Linked Immunoassay (ELISA) was used to detect EBV infection markers in 46 MS patients and 46 controls.
- Statistical analyses included Pearson chi-square, Spearman rho correlation, and odds ratio calculations.
Main Results:
- No significant difference in seropositivity for anti-EBNA-1 IgG (92.9% vs 88.4%) or anti-EBV-CA IgG (95.2% vs 95.3%) was found between MS patients and controls.
- Anti-EBV-EA-D test results were negative in all patients and nearly all controls (95.3%).
- Seropositivity for past EBV infection (anti-EBNA-1 IgG and anti-EBV-CA IgG) showed no significant association with MS development (p=0.317, rho=0.689, OR=1.95).
Conclusions:
- Seropositivity for EBNA-1 IgG and EBV-CA IgG does not indicate a causal link with multiple sclerosis.
- The findings suggest that prior EBV infection is unlikely to be a causative agent in MS pathogenesis.
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