Scholarlink

Introduction <p>The role of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) in multiple sclerosis (MS) pathogenesis is supported by the increased MS risk after infectious mononucleosis. This study aimed to evaluate EBV infection in our pediatric-onset MS (POMS) cohort.</p> Methods <p>MS patients with disease onset &lt; 18&#xa0;years of age seen at Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital were included. We searched for anti-EBV nuclear antigen (EBNA) Immunoglobulin G (IgG) and anti-viral capsid antigen (VCA) IgG and IgM. For comparison, we analyzed the EBV infection seroprevalence in an age- and sex-matched control cohorts of immunologically-healthy children and subjects with non-neurological autoimmune diseases.</p> Results <p>Fifty-seven POMS were included; all had a previous EBV infection. The controls’ cohort included one-hundred and sixty-two patients with a median age of 12&#xa0;years (range 6–17), encompassing two subgroups: non-autoimmune (i.e. primary headaches) and autoimmune controls, namely inflammatory bowel disease and juvenile idiopathic arthritis. In the control group, ninety-six (59%) were EBV seropositive. EBV seropositivity was significantly higher in POMS than in the controls’ cohort (OR = 79.2, 95% C.I. 4.8–1305), and compared to autoimmune and non-autoimmune controls separately (p &lt; 0.0001).</p> Discussion <p>In our POMS cohort, EBV seropositivity was 100%, higher than previously reported. Our results support a disease-specific role of EBV in the MS development compared to other pediatric autoimmune disorders, consistent with evidence reported in adult-onset MS.</p>

错误：搜索内容不能为空，请输入英文关键词
错误：关键词超出字数限制，请精简
高级检索

Complete Epstein-Barr virus seropositivity in a cohort of pediatric onset multiple sclerosis: a comparison to other autoimmune diseases

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2025年10月29日

查看全文
  • Gabriele Monte,
  • Giuseppe Tiralongo,
  • Laura Papetti,
  • Michela Ada Noris Ferilli,
  • Martina Proietti Checchi,
  • Alessandra Voci,
  • Claudia Ruscitto,
  • Marco Salvetti,
  • Gianmarco Bellucci,
  • Massimiliano Valeriani

摘要

Introduction

The role of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) in multiple sclerosis (MS) pathogenesis is supported by the increased MS risk after infectious mononucleosis. This study aimed to evaluate EBV infection in our pediatric-onset MS (POMS) cohort.

Methods

MS patients with disease onset < 18 years of age seen at Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital were included. We searched for anti-EBV nuclear antigen (EBNA) Immunoglobulin G (IgG) and anti-viral capsid antigen (VCA) IgG and IgM. For comparison, we analyzed the EBV infection seroprevalence in an age- and sex-matched control cohorts of immunologically-healthy children and subjects with non-neurological autoimmune diseases.

Results

Fifty-seven POMS were included; all had a previous EBV infection. The controls’ cohort included one-hundred and sixty-two patients with a median age of 12 years (range 6–17), encompassing two subgroups: non-autoimmune (i.e. primary headaches) and autoimmune controls, namely inflammatory bowel disease and juvenile idiopathic arthritis. In the control group, ninety-six (59%) were EBV seropositive. EBV seropositivity was significantly higher in POMS than in the controls’ cohort (OR = 79.2, 95% C.I. 4.8–1305), and compared to autoimmune and non-autoimmune controls separately (p < 0.0001).

Discussion

In our POMS cohort, EBV seropositivity was 100%, higher than previously reported. Our results support a disease-specific role of EBV in the MS development compared to other pediatric autoimmune disorders, consistent with evidence reported in adult-onset MS.