An American study reveals that a virus would be at the origin of multiple sclerosis. A discovery that could lead to a treatment against this autoimmune disease.
An American study of Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, published in review Science, on January 13, 2021, reveals that Epstein-Barr virus is believed to cause multiple sclerosis.
Infection with the Epstein-Barr virus: a risk of multiple sclerosis multiplied by 32
According to the study results, the risk of contracting multiple sclerosis (MS) would be multiplied by 32 after an infection by Epstein-Barr (EBV). For the researchers, this virus would be a trigger of autoimmune disease. “These results cannot be explained by any known risk factors for MS and suggest that EBV is the leading cause of MS », explain the researchers. To reach this conclusion, the scientists followed for 20 years, more than 10 million young adults of the American army, of which 955 were diagnosed with MS during their service.
It is “the first study providing convincing evidence of causation » between the Epstein-Barr virus and multiple sclerosis, underlined Alberto Ascherio, scientist at Harvard University and director of the study published in Science.
A hope of treatment
This discovery is very encouraging for the search for treatments and a source of hope for patients with the disease. “This is a big step forward as it suggests that most cases of multiple sclerosis could be prevented by blocking EBV infection, and targeting EBV could lead to the discovery of a treatment for multiple sclerosiss », added Alberto Ascherio.
According to France info, the Moderna laboratory would have started a clinical trial on the man for develop a vaccine against this virus and protect against multiple sclerosis.
The Epstein-Barr virus, a very common virus
The Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is a virus the family Herpesviridae (herpes virus) and is transmitted through saliva. It is in particular responsible for mononucleosis. Health insurance estimates that 90% of adults have already been in contact with the EBV virus.
Multiple sclerosis affects approximately 100,000 people in France
According to the figures of Ministry of Health, in France, approximately 100,000 people are affected of multiple sclerosis. This autoimmune disease affects the central nervous system and is most often diagnosed between the ages of 25 and 35. Its evolution and its symptoms are very variable from one person to another. It can lead to motor, sensory, balance, cognitive or visual symptoms. Currently, there is no treatment to cure multiple sclerosis, but some can slow the progression of the disease.
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