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.
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.
Authors: M Kamper-Jørgensen; K Rostgaard; S L Glaser; S H Zahm; W Cozen; K E Smedby; S Sanjosé; E T Chang; T Zheng; C La Vecchia; D Serraino; A Monnereau; E V Kane; L Miligi; P Vineis; J J Spinelli; J R McLaughlin; P Pahwa; J A Dosman; M Vornanen; L Foretova; M Maynadie; A Staines; N Becker; A Nieters; P Brennan; P Boffetta; P Cocco; H Hjalgrim Journal: Ann Oncol Date: 2013-06-19 Impact factor: 32.976
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Authors: Raymond P Stowe; M Kristen Peek; Norma A Perez; Deborah L Yetman; Malcolm P Cutchin; James S Goodwin Journal: J Epidemiol Community Health Date: 2009-10-12 Impact factor: 3.710
Authors: R Zivadinov; B Weinstock-Guttman; K Hashmi; N Abdelrahman; M Stosic; M Dwyer; S Hussein; J Durfee; M Ramanathan Journal: Neurology Date: 2009-08-18 Impact factor: 9.910
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