[Genetic variability in the association of multiple sclerosis and Epstein-Barr virus]

Multiple sclerosis is a neurodegenerative and autoimmune disease of the central nervous system that mainly affects young people, especially women; its origin has been associated with infection caused by the Epstein-Barr virus. However, not all people who have suffered infection by this virus develop multiple sclerosis, so it would be important to know the role of genetic variability, especially the individual allelic variability of the human leukocyte antigen; as well as to determine the molecular mechanisms and the immunological links of the virus when it remains latent inside the B lymphocytes. Based on the above, it could be defined if the virus is a necessary condition to develop the disease or if there are other factors that need to be present, and thus be able to establish specific prevention and treatment strategies. But the most relevant thing is that the virus is a present condition to develop multiple sclerosis and is potentially preventable through the design of the respective vaccine.