Correlations between Epstein-Barr virus antibody levels and risk factors for multiple sclerosis in healthy individuals

Department of Epidemiology Research, Statens Serum Institut, 2300 Copenhagen, Denmark

^* To whom correspondence should be addressed.

	Abstract

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.

ObjectivesTo investigate possible associations between EBV antibody levels and a range of other recognized MS risk factors.

Design, setting and study populationCross-sectional study undertaken in Denmark based on 517 healthy individuals selected from the Danish population.

MethodsWe measured change in mean log (anti-Epstein-Barr viral capsid antigen (VCA) immune globulin G) using linear regression.

ResultsAnti-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.

ConclusionThe 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.

Key Words: Epstein-Barr virus antibodies, gender, HLA-DR2, multiple sclerosis, tobacco smoking

First published on January 29, 2007, doi:10.1177/1352458506071470

Multiple Sclerosis 2007;13:420.

A more recent version of this article appeared on April 1, 2007


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