summary: Currently available markers for developing MS after a first inflammatory-demyelinating episode of the central nervous system, and markers for disability progression are still far from satisfactory. The authors of this study found that the concentration, in peripheral blood, of a specific protein produced after an infection by the Epstein-Barr virus was higher in people who had experienced a first attack compared to controls. Moreover, they found that people with higher concentrations of this protein, related to EBV, had a higher risk of developing MS and experiencing a worse clinical outcome over the following years. Interestingly, the other proteins studied, related to EBV and other viruses, did not show this capacity. Therefore, the authors propose that this protein be considered as a possible marker for the development of the disease and for disability progression.

authors: Lünemann JD, Tintoré M, Messmer B, Strowig T, Rovira A, Perkal H, Caballero E, Münz C, Montalban X, Comabella M

source: Ann Neurol. 2009 Oct 13;67(2):159-169

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