Correlation found between EBV/CMV and Brain Antigen-Specific B Cell Response in MS Patients

[bobby]

MS research is always interesting, as we have quite a few things in common with MS...

full study here: http://www.mdpi.com/1999-4915/8/4/105/htm

more readable article from MS patients organisation here: http://multiplesclerosisnewstoday.c...m-may-enhance-multiple-sclerosis-progression/

Researchers investigating immune B-cell response to the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) and cytomegalovirus (CMV) found that it may correlate with the amount of brain-specific B-cells in the blood — a marker of multiple sclerosis (MS) — and with higher disease activity.

Results revealed a moderate correlation between the frequencies of EBV- and brain-reactive B-cells in MS patients in remission, but not in relapse. The B-cell response to EBV was also correlated with disease activity in MS patients.

The investigators found a significant correlation between the CMV- and brain antigen-specific B-cell response in MS patients during acute relapses. In addition, an elevated B-cell response to CMV was found to correlate with a higher disease activity.