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Review
. 2023 Jul 24:14:1212676.
doi: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1212676. eCollection 2023.

Risk factors for multiple sclerosis in the context of Epstein-Barr virus infection

Anna Karin Hedström  1
Affiliations
Review

Risk factors for multiple sclerosis in the context of Epstein-Barr virus infection

Anna Karin Hedström. Front Immunol. .

Abstract

Compelling evidence indicates that Epstein Barr virus (EBV) infection is a prerequisite for multiple sclerosis (MS). The disease may arise from a complex interplay between latent EBV infection, genetic predisposition, and various environmental and lifestyle factors that negatively affect immune control of the infection. Evidence of gene-environment interactions and epigenetic modifications triggered by environmental factors in genetically susceptible individuals supports this view. This review gives a short introduction to EBV and host immunity and discusses evidence indicating EBV as a prerequisite for MS. The role of genetic and environmental risk factors, and their interactions, in MS pathogenesis is reviewed and put in the context of EBV infection. Finally, possible preventive measures are discussed based on the findings presented.

Keywords: Epstein-Barr virus; human leukocyte antigen; infectious mononucleosis; multiple sclerosis; obesity; smoking; sun exposure; vitamin D.

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Conflict of interest statement

The author declares that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.

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