Common Virus May Increase MS Risk

The cause of multiple sclerosis has been up in the air for some time, but new research published in Frontiers in Immunology shows that a variant of the herpes virus could be to blame in some people. That same study also indicated that the risk level of developing MS could be significant for people who have been infected with human herpesvirus 6.

Multiple Sclerosis is Serious and Debilitating for Millions

Worldwide, there are approximately 2.5 million people who deal with multiple sclerosis, including some 400,000 in the United States alone. Multiple sclerosis is an autoimmune condition that creates damage throughout the nervous system. Over time, a person who has MS may lose their ability to perform basic daily functions, such as walk, drive a car, and more. That’s because in MS the immune system attacks the myelin sheath that’s surrounding nerve cells, seeing it as an enemy instead of as part of the body’s natural system.

What Are the Main Causes of MS?

There’s no known singular specific cause for MS, and the medical community hasn’t yet identified exactly why some people get the disease when faced with one of the possible causes and why others don’t. But genetics are believed to play some role in the development of MS. Additionally, smoking and viral infections are thought to be triggers for the onset of the condition in at least some cases. And in others, vitamin D may play a role. The idea that a viral infection could be an MS catalyst is of special interest to medical professionals because there are a number of viruses that could be linked to MS and determining which could help target treatment in the early stages.

Epstein-Barr and the Multiple Sclerosis Connection

One particular viral infection, the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), has already been shown to have a potential link to MS. This virus also causes mononucleosis—and may be linked to lupus, as well. So it's serious already and we know it causes different reactions in different people. Past research indicated that this virus, which is also called human herpesvirus 4, could be a cause or even one of the largest causes of multiple sclerosis. Still, the idea that EBV or any other type of herpesvirus variant may cause MS isn’t proven or definitive, and there can also be environmental and other factors at work. But let's look at EBV and the latest research on these types of viruses.

The Latest Research on Herpesvirus Variants

The recent study in the Immunology journal not only addresses the herpesvirus 6 variant (as opposed to the herpesvirus 4 variant found in EBV), but it also explores the difference between herpesvirus 6A (HHV-6A) and herpesvirus 6B (HHV-6B). This is the first study that has addressed that difference or has been able to show the difference and the effects it could have. 

For the Immunology study, nearly 8,800 people who had MS were examined, and their blood compared against over 7,200 who didn’t have the condition. Antibodies were examined against proteins that differed most in the two herpesvirus 6 variants. The researchers found that those having HHV-6A were more likely to develop the condition, with a 55 percent greater likelihood of having antibodies against it in their blood. HHV-6B didn’t appear to pose any risk of MS. 

While it may not be possible to avoid this virus in every case, and people who have already been exposed can’t reverse their risk, even knowing that there is a risk can have implications for new treatment options and much more including early testing and regular monitoring to improve early treatment options. Further research is needed to follow up on the information provided in this study, of course, but in the meantime, this breakthrough could mean the world to some.

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