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


OBJECTIVE
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.


CONCLUSIONS
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.
Nielsen
T R
TR
Department of Epidemiology Research, Statens Serum Institut, 2300 Copenhagen, Denmark. trn@ssi.dk
Pedersen
M
M
Rostgaard
K
K
Frisch
M
M
Hjalgrim
H
H
D000914:Antibodies, Viral / Q000097:blood*; D003718:Denmark; D005260:Female; D006684:HLA-DR Antigens / Q000032:analysis; D059811:HLA-DRB1 Chains; D004854:Herpesvirus 4, Human / Q000276:immunology* / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D006650:Histocompatibility Testing; D006801:Humans; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000821:virology; D012016:Reference Values; D012307:Risk Factors; D012727:Sex Characteristics
D000914:Antibodies, Viral; D006684:HLA-DR Antigens; D059811:HLA-DRB1 Chains; D007074:Immunoglobulin G