title: Epstein-Barr Virus and MS:Causality or Association?
abstract: The search for the aetiology of multiple sclerosis (MS) has led to many theories over the years. It has become clear, however, that MS is complex and multifactorial, involving many interlacing mechanisms, many of which appear to be playing a role in the causation and evolution of the disease. In the large part for epidemiological reasons, an infectious aetiology has always been a prime suspect in this search. Although many agents have been examined over the years, the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) has re-emerged as a candidate pathogen, based to a large degree on sero-epidemiological evidence, and on the knowledge of the effects this virus is capable of producing in other situations.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology and Molecular Medicine, Queens University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada, K7L 3N6 Tel: +1 613 533 2818 Fax: +1 613 533 2907 E-mail: ludwin@cliff.path.queensu.ca.
authors.forename: Sk
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ludwin
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Jacobson
mesh_terms: D005075:Biological Evolution; D003141:Communicable Diseases; D020031:Epstein-Barr Virus Infections; D004854:Herpesvirus 4, Human; D006801:Humans; D007244:Infectious Mononucleosis; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis