Epstein-Barr nuclear antigen and viral capsidl antigen antibody titers in multiple sclerosis

Paul D. Larsen, Linda C. Bloomer, Patrick F. Bray

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

119 Scopus citations

Abstract

To characterize the antibody response to the Epstein- Barr virus (EBV) in MS, we studied serum anti-EBV nuclear antigen (anti- EBNA) and anti-EBV capsid antigen (anti-EBVCA) titers. Both titers were assayed in 93 age- and sex-matched pairs of MS patients and controls. Anti- EBVCA titers were measured by indirect immunofluorescence and anti- EBNA titers by anticomplement immunofluorescence. The seropositivity rate of both anti-EBVCA and anti-EBNA in MS patients was 100%, com pared with 84% in controls (p < 0.0001). Both anti-EBVCA and anti- EBNA titers were significantly higher in MS patients than in controls (p < 0.0001). The data suggest that EBV has a significant seroepidemiologic association with MS, but they do not define what role EBV antibodies play in the pathogenesis of the disease.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)435-438
Number of pages4
JournalNeurology
Volume35
Issue number3
DOIs
StatePublished - Mar 1985
Externally publishedYes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Clinical Neurology

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