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Interferon β1a treatment does not influence serum Epstein-Barr virus antibodies in patients with multiple sclerosis
Ingrid Anne Lie1, Brit Ellen Rød1, Silje Stokke Kvistad2
1Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway; Neuro-SysMed, Department of Neurology, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway.
Abstract:
There is increasing evidence of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) being conditional in multiple sclerosis (MS) pathogenesis and influential for disease activity. Interferon-beta (IFNβ) is a cytokine with antiviral effects used to treat MS, in which a possible antiviral effect against EBV has been questioned. In this study, we investigated the effect of IFNβ-1a treatment on serum EBV antibody levels in 84 patients with relapsing-remitting MS. In the 18 months following IFNβ-1a treatment initiation, there were no significant associations between treatment and serum levels of Epstein-Barr nuclear antigen 1 (EBNA-1) immunoglobulin (Ig) G, early antigen (EA) IgG, viral capsid antigen (VCA) IgG or VCA IgM. The findings suggest that IFNβ-1a treatment does not influence the humoral response to EBV in patients with MS.
Insights
Interferon-beta-1a (IFNβ-1a) treatment did not alter Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) antibody levels in multiple sclerosis (MS) patients. This study found no significant association between IFNβ-1a and the humoral response to EBV in MS.
Area of Science:
- Neuroimmunology
- Virology
- Immunology
Background:
- Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is increasingly implicated in multiple sclerosis (MS) pathogenesis and disease activity.
- Interferon-beta (IFNβ), an antiviral cytokine, is used for MS treatment, but its effect on EBV is unclear.
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