A common virus - which can cause a bad throat, fever and a rash among other symptoms - could potentially trigger debilitating multiple sclerosis (MS), according to new research.
The Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is also well-known to cause glandular fever - known as the 'kissing disease' as it's found in the saliva of those infected. The Multiple Sclerosis Trust says up to 95 per cent of all adults have been exposed to EBV - also known as human herpesvirus 4, a member of the herpes virus family.
But unless you went on to develop glandular fever 'you may not have noticed any symptoms'. The charity stressed: "Having had EBV infection or glandular fever doesn’t mean you will get MS.
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"However, modern detection methods show that practically everyone with MS has previously had EBV infection."
Pointing to American research, the Trust noted: "Scientists in the US tracked people who gave repeated blood samples over several years, so they could see when they had been infected with EBV.
"They showed that the risk of developing MS was much higher after EBV infection had taken place."
Dr Olivia Thomas, a scientist at the Karolinska Institutet in Sweden, said: "MS is an incredibly complex disease, but our study provides an important piece in the puzzle and could explain why some people develop the disease.
"We have discovered that antibodies against EBV, which normally fight the infection, can mistakenly target the brain and spinal cord and cause damage."
The researchers looked at blood samples from more than 700 patients with MS and 700 healthy people. They found that antibodies that bind to an EBV protein, EBNA1, can also bind to a similar protein in the brain and spinal cord called CRYAB - what is known as a 'Protein Coding' gene.
As a result, the scientists think the misdirected antibodies may damage the nervous system causing severe symptoms in MS patients.
Co-author Mattias Bronge, an affiliated researcher at the Department of Clinical Neuroscience, added: "We are now expanding our research to investigate how T-cells fight EBV infection. And how these immune cells may damage the nervous system in multiple sclerosis and contribute to disease progression."
What is multiple sclerosis?
The NHS describes multiple sclerosis as a lifelong condition that can affect the brain and spinal cord, causing a wide range of potential symptoms, including problems with vision, arm or leg movement, sensation or balance.
MS is one of the most common causes of disability in younger adults, and can sometimes cause serious disability, although it can occasionally be mild. Thankfully in many cases the symptoms can be treated, although the average life expectancy is slightly reduced for people with MS.
It's most commonly diagnosed in people in their 20s, 30s and 40s although it can develop at any age. It's about two to three times more common in women than men.
Symptoms of multiple sclerosis
MS symptoms, according to the NHS, can include:
- Fatigue
Mobility problems
- Vision problems
- Muscle spasms, stiffness and weakness
Numbness and tingling
- Pain
Speech and swallowing difficulties.
- Depression and anxiety
- Sexual problems
- Bladder problems
- Bowel problems
Problems with thinking, learning and planning
Symptoms of Epstein-Barr virus
- Fatigue.
- Fever
- Inflamed throat
- Swollen lymph nodes in the neck
- Enlarged spleen
- Swollen liver
- Rash
