A recently published study found that 100% of its subjects suffering from Multiple Sclerosis were infected with the Epstein-Barr virus. While Epstein-Barr infection is extremely prevalent in the general population (with infection rates upwards of 90%), it is striking that virtually every MS patient looked at carried the virus.
Of course, this does not prove that EBV alone causes Multiple Sclerosis. Since most of the adult population is infected with EBV, and only a very small percentage of those infected develop MS, the virus alone cannot be the sole cause of the disease. More likely, a combination of genetic predisposition, Epstein-Barr infection, and some other trigger, such as vitamin D deficiency, sets off the anomalous immune reaction that is called Multiple Sclerosis.
As a leading epidemiologist said, the study does show that "people who are not infected with EBV do not get MS". The study also found that subjects without MS who had the highest levels of EBV antibodies were at the highest risk of developing MS at some later time.
This topic has come up from time to time on many of the Internet MS forums, and some patients always strongly object, stating that they couldn't be infected with Epstein-Barr virus, because they've never had mono. The fact is that most people who carry EBV are completely unaware that they are infected with the virus. EBV infections can be asymptomatic, or may be mistaken for a cold or flu. Using myself as an example, I have tested positive for EBV, but have never had mononucleosis.
My neurologist, Dr. Big Brain, told me several years ago that every MS patient is infected with EBV. He was right. That’s why I call him Dr. Big Brain.
That is interesting! I had mono as a teenager and was vitamin D deficient (and still am no matter how much I take!) before my MS diagnosis in January 08. Hopefully these studies will lead to a greater understanding of the disease and how to treat it.
ReplyDeleteCan a person be asymptomatic of EBV? No history of anything more than a flu with high fever, no exhaustion, no mono, nothing but sx's common to MS.
ReplyDeleteAnonymous, yes a person can be infected with EBV and be symptomatic. Most adults carrying the virus never had mononucleosis. The infection can also be mistaken for a cold or flu...
ReplyDeleteI'm not surprised. I had Epstein-Barr a year before I was diagnosed with MS...also had a serious Vitamin D deficiency. I think both tripped the switch.
ReplyDeleteI refuse to believe that 90 + percent of the population has ebv infection. Especially after cdc ebola debacle.
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