summary: The Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) has been largely associated with the risk of MS. The authors of this study aimed to investigate whether the presence of a possible latent or active EBV infection in the central nervous system (CNS) of people with MS could be actually playing a role in the development of the disease. After studying active brain MS plaques and different types of immune cells located in the CNS of people with MS, the authors found no evidence of latent or active EBV infection. Nor did they find specific anti-EBV antibody response within the CNS of people with MS. More investigations are needed to link the results of this study with the considerable number of studies that associate EBV infection with an increased risk of MS.

authors: Sargsyan SA, Shearer AJ, Ritchie AM, Burgoon MP, Anderson S, Hemmer B, Stadelmann C, Gattenlöhner S, Owens GP, Gilden D, Bennett JL

source: Neurology. 2010 Mar 10

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