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Meta-Analysis
. 2006 Mar;59(3):499-503.
doi: 10.1002/ana.20820.

Infectious mononucleosis and risk for multiple sclerosis: a meta-analysis

Evan L Thacker  1 , Fariba Mirzaei, Alberto Ascherio
Affiliations
Meta-Analysis

Infectious mononucleosis and risk for multiple sclerosis: a meta-analysis

Evan L Thacker et al. Ann Neurol. 2006 Mar.

Abstract

Objective: To characterize the association between infectious mononucleosis (IM), a frequent clinical manifestation of primary Epstein-Barr virus infection after childhood, and the risk for multiple sclerosis (MS).

Methods: We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of case-control and cohort studies of IM and MS.

Results: The combined relative risk of MS after IM from 14 studies was 2.3 (95% confidence interval, 1.7-3.0; p < 10(-8)). Potential sources of heterogeneity (ie, study design, MS definition, and latitude) barely influenced our results.

Interpretation: We conclude that Epstein-Barr virus infection manifesting as IM in adolescents and young adults is a risk factor for MS.

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