Epstein-Barr nuclear antigen 1 antibody-based indices are increased in patients with multiple sclerosis

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic central nervous system (CNS) disease, which is diagnosed by a combination of clinical symptoms and magnetic resonance imaging and measurement of an increased intrathecal antibody synthesis. Genetic as well as environmental factors influence onset of the disease, where especially Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection is directly involved in MS development. In this open retrospective study, we aimed to elaborate whether various serum and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)-based EBV antibody indices may aid in the diagnosis of MS.

Epstein-Barr nuclear antigen (EBNA)1 IgG concentrations in serum and CSF of relapsing-remitting (RR)MS patients (n=61) (M:F 28:33, average 40 years), optic neuritis patients (n=26) (M:F 9:17, average 47 years) and healthy controls (HCs) (n=15) (M:F 8:7, average 43 years) were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The obtained EBNA1 IgG levels were compared to factors such as total IgG, albumin concentrations, specific antibody index, and various serum- and CSF-based indices.

Significantly elevated EBNA1 IgG levels were detected in serum and CSF of RRMS patients compared to HCs. CSF EBNA1 IgG and indices based on specific CSF EBNA1 IgG associated with CSF albumin or serum EBNA1 IgG associated with total serum IgG obtained the highest sensitivities and complemented the IgG index and oligoclonal bands.

These findings indicate that aforementioned indices may supplement existing indices and aid in the diagnosis of MS.