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Multiple Sclerosis, Vol. 13, No. 3, 420-423 (2007) DOI: 10.1177/1352458506071470 © 2007 SAGE Publications Correlations between Epstein-Barr virus antibody levels and risk factors for multiple sclerosis in healthy individualsDepartment of Epidemiology Research, Statens Serum Institut, 2300 Copenhagen, Denmark,trn{at}ssi.dk
Department of Epidemiology Research, Statens Serum Institut, 2300 Copenhagen, Denmark
Department of Epidemiology Research, Statens Serum Institut, 2300 Copenhagen, Denmark
Department of Epidemiology Research, Statens Serum Institut, 2300 Copenhagen, Denmark
Department of Epidemiology Research, Statens Serum Institut, 2300 Copenhagen, Denmark Background Female gender, human leukocyte antigen (HLA) DR2, tobacco smoking and Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) are established risk factors for multiple sclerosis (MS). Their possible interaction however, has been sparsely studied. Objectives To investigate possible associations between EBV antibody levels and a range of other recognized MS risk factors. Design, setting and study population Cross-sectional study undertaken in Denmark based on 517 healthy individuals selected from the Danish population. Methods We measured change in mean log (anti-Epstein-Barr viral capsid antigen (VCA) immune globulin G) using linear regression. Results Anti-Epstein-Barr VCA immune globulin G levels were positively correlated with female gender and HLA DR2. Furthermore, current smoking and cumulative tobacco consumption were positively associated with EBV antibody levels. Conclusion The association between Epstein-Barr VCA antibody levels and non-viral MS risk factors support the view that EBV is critically involved in the etiology of MS. These non-viral MS risk factors may be linked with MS risk through EBV-specific immune responses. Multiple Sclerosis 2007; 13: 420-423. http://msj.sagepub.com
Key Words: Epstein-Barr virus antibodies gender HLA-DR2 multiple sclerosis tobacco smoking
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