Broad Analysis of Serum and Intrathecal Antimicrobial Antibodies in Multiple Sclerosis Underscores Unique Role of Epstein-Barr Virus

Abstract

There is a strong link between Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) and multiple sclerosis (MS), but the underlying mechanisms are unclear. Patients with MS typically have a polyspecific intrathecal production of immunoglobulin G (IgG), part of which is directed against various microbial antigens. In this study, we comprehensively analyzed seroprevalences and frequencies of an intrathecal IgG production to EBV compared with 10 other common microbes in patients with MS.