Epstein-Barr virus infection as a predisposing factor for multiple sclerosis. An update from molecular biology, immunology and epidemiology

Abstract Introduction: Epstein-Barr virus is an infectious agent used to immortalize and induce polyclonal activation of B cells. It has been widely described that this virus produces changes in the cells it infects and in the immune response, and stimulates the development of autoimmune diseases. O...

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Published in:Revista de la Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Nacional de Colombia Universidad Nacional de Colombia, 2019-09, Vol.67 (3), p.493-501
Main Authors: López-Valencia, David, Medina-Ortega, Ángela, Hoyos-Samboní, Diego Fernando, Saavedra-Torres, Jhan Sebastián, Salguero, Carolina
Format: Article
Language:Portuguese
Subjects:
MEDICINE, GENERAL & INTERNAL
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Summary:Abstract Introduction: Epstein-Barr virus is an infectious agent used to immortalize and induce polyclonal activation of B cells. It has been widely described that this virus produces changes in the cells it infects and in the immune response, and stimulates the development of autoimmune diseases. Objective: To characterize the association between Epstein-Barr virus and multiple sclerosis described in current scientific literature. Materials and methods: A 59-years range literature search was conducted in the PubMed, ScienceDirect, Redalyc and SciELO databases using the following MeSH terms: "Epstein-Barr virus, multiple sclerosis autoimmune diseases, autoimmune diseases of the nervous system". Results: Many studies describe the association between Epstein-Barr virus and multiple sclerosis. It is believed that acute infection and viral reactivation promote the development of multiple sclerosis. Conclusions: It is necessary to conduct further research on the pathogenesis and morphophysiological and neuroimmunological changes -at the ecological, molecular, cellular, tissue, organic and systemic level- induced by the immune response and that favor the development of multiple sclerosis.
ISSN:0120-0011
DOI:10.15446/revfacmed.v67n3.70149