Epstein-Barr Virus Reactivation Associated With
MS Disease Activity
http://ipn.intelihealth.com/IPN/ihtIPN?st=23883&t=7223&c=290758
WESTPORT, July 25, 2000 (Reuters Health) - Epstein-Barr virus may play
an indirect role in activating the underlying disease process of
multiple sclerosis (MS), according to data from a German study.
Dr. Klaus-Peter Wandinger of the University of Lubeck School of Medicine
and associates measured the prevalence of antibodies against
herpesviruses,
including Epstein-Barr virus, in the sera of 108 MS patients and 163
healthy
control subjects. Antibodies against Epstein-Barr virus were present in
100% of the MS patients and in 90.1% of the control subjects.
In results reported in the July 25th issue of Neurology, serologic signs
of
primary Epstein-Barr virus infection were noted in 3.7% of healthy
control
subjects and in none of the MS patients. According to the researchers,
this
indicates that Epstein-Barr virus infection is a prerequisite for MS
rather than a consequence of the disease.
The investigators also prospectively followed 19 MS patients monthly for
1
year. Increased immunoglobulin M and A responses to Epstein-Barr virus
early
antigens and positive serum DNA were observed in 72.7% of patients with
exacerbations during the study period. No Epstein-Barr virus DNA could
be
amplified from the sera of clinically stable MS patients.
The authors theorize that Epstein-Barr virus reactivation may be
indirectly
involved in MS pathogenesis. They also note that recent study findings
indicate that exacerbations are significantly reduced in MS patients
treated with acyclovir. Taken together, these data "suggest that a
reduction of Epstein-Barr virus replication in treated patients might
likewise have influenced the outcome of the trial."
Neurology 2000;55:178-184.
Copyright 2000 Reuters Limited.
©1996-2000 InteliHealth, Inc.
--
Judith Richards, London, Ontario, Canada
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