Epstein-Barr virus is implicated in MS

Recent study points to an association, but few believe it is the only culprit.

By Victoria Stagg Elliott, AMNews staff. Jan. 28, 2002.

There was a time when the measles was fingered as a cause of multiple sclerosis. That connection, though, was ruled out so long ago that the virus doesn't even make the list of likely suspects anymore.

Then, during the mid-1990s, human herpesvirus 6 became a likely culprit. This virus's wayward cousin, herpes simplex 1, was also listed among the possible guilty parties, as were certain bacteria, such as Chlamydia pneumoniae -- frequently found on the scene. Some disease detectives also have questioned whether these suspects could have been working together or with some of the other 40 infectious agents implicated thus far in causing multiple sclerosis. Or maybe it was none of them at all.

To date, despite evidence linking these agents and MS, there continues to be difficulty making a case for a specific causal relationship beyond a shadow of a doubt.

"In all cases, an association has been made," said Stephen Reingold, PhD, vice president for research programs for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. "But there's a great difference between cause and effect. When something is associated, you don't know if it's the cause, the effect or completely coincidental. The jury remains out."

Scientists have long been hunting for the cause of MS, which many think to be a combination of genetics, infectious agents and an immune system gone bad. Environmental pollutants also have occasionally been implicated. Smoking may increase the risk but is not considered a prime suspect.

Most recently, the Epstein-Barr virus has been linked to MS. [...]