title: Epstein-Barr virus, latitude and multiple sclerosis.
abstract: Several lines of evidence support a role for Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) in the aetiology of multiple sclerosis (MS). This includes the observation that nearly all MS patients show serological markers of past EBV infection. Given the well-known association between MS prevalence and latitude, we investigated whether EBV seropositivity also increases with distance from the equator. We found that the proportion of EBV positive individuals is positively associated with latitude independently of MS status (odds ratio = 1.06, 95% CI = 1.02-1.09, p = 0.002). Latitude-related factors may be implicated in the immune response to EBV and its role in MS aetiology.
authors: Wellcome Trust Centre for Human Genetics, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK.
authors: Giulio
authors: G
authors: Disanto
authors: Julia
authors: J
authors: Pakpoor
authors: Julia M
authors: JM
authors: Morahan
authors: Carolina
authors: C
authors: Hall
authors: Ute C
authors: UC
authors: Meier
authors: Gavin
authors: G
authors: Giovannoni
authors: Sreeram V
authors: SV
authors: Ramagopalan
mesh_terms: D020031:Epstein-Barr Virus Infections / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000276:immunology; D005843:Geography; D004854:Herpesvirus 4, Human / Q000276:immunology / Q000472:pathogenicity*; D006801:Humans; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology / Q000821:virology*