Epstein Barr Virus

Epstein-Barr virus, frequently referred to as EBV, is a member of the herpesvirus family and one of the most common human viruses. The virus occurs worldwide, and most people become infected with EBV sometime during their lives.

Multiple Sclerosis and the Epstein Barr Virus

Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is a herpes virus otherwise known of as human herpesvirus 4 (HHV-4). It is most well known for causing glandular fever but research shows that EBV infection is also linked to an increased risk for various autoimmune conditions including rheumatoid arthritis, dermatomyositis and multiple sclerosis.

What is the Epstein-Barr Virus?

Genetic discovery sheds light on infection-triggered neuropathy

Neuropathy, a disorder in which damage to nerves can impair sensation and movement, has many causes, including infection.

25 May 2025

Scientists discover how EBV-infected immune cells migrate and invade the brain

Many people are infected with the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), and most are unaware of it. However, EBV can sometimes cause cancer, and this pathogen also appears to play an important role in multiple sclerosis and other autoimmune diseases.

19 May 2025

HIV uses circular RNAs to evade immunity and boost replication

In a groundbreaking discovery, researchers from Florida Atlantic University's Charles E. Schmidt College of Medicine have identified a never-before-seen mechanism that enables the human immunodeficiency type 1 virus (HIV-1) to evade the body's natural defenses and use it to support its survival and replication.

13 May 2025

Refining the diagnosis of large granular lymphocytic leukemias and their mimics

Large granular lymphocytic leukemias (LGLLs) are a heterogeneous group of rare chronic lymphoproliferative disorders characterized by the clonal proliferation of cytotoxic lymphocytes. Among them, T-cell LGLL (T-LGLL) and NK-cell LGLL (NK-LGLL) are the most prominent.

10 Apr 2025

Epstein-Barr virus triggers inflammatory cell death in ulcerative colitis

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a chronic, relapsing disease that causes painful inflammation and ulcers in the colon.

24 Mar 2025

Scientists reveal how Epstein-Barr virus reactivation triggers MIS-C in children

Scientists reveal that reactivation of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), driven by TGFβ-induced immune suppression, is a key driver of multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) following COVID-19. Blocking TGFβ may offer a potential new treatment for this life-threatening condition.

13 Mar 2025

Researchers identify cause of post-COVID inflammatory shock in children

MIS-C is a serious inflammatory shock that affects children. It can occur several weeks after a COVID infection and can be life-threatening.

12 Mar 2025

Combination of Epstein-Barr virus antibodies and genes linked to increased risk of MS

In multiple sclerosis (MS), antibodies to the common Epstein-Barr virus can accidentally attack a protein in the brain and spinal cord. New research shows that the combination of certain viral antibodies and genetic risk factors can be linked to a greatly increased risk of MS.

10 Mar 2025

Epstein-Barr virus infection predisposes people to develop Crohn's disease

Crohn's disease, a debilitating inflammatory bowel disease, has many known contributing factors, including bacterial changes in the microbiome that foster an inflammatory environment.

3 Mar 2025

Researchers identify MLC1 as potential target in multiple sclerosis

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic inflammatory disease of the central nervous system caused by the immune system. B cells, which are a type of white blood cell, play a role in the development of MS and are thus a target for therapies.

18 Feb 2025

Cancer-free for 18 years: CAR-T therapy sets new milestone in neuroblastoma treatment

A groundbreaking study in Nature Medicine reveals that GD2 CAR-T cell therapy can lead to long-term remission in children with neuroblastoma, with one patient remaining cancer-free for over 18 years.

17 Feb 2025

The growing list of human viruses: Are we prepared for the next outbreak?

Researchers review the ever-growing list of human viruses, examining their diversity, transmission pathways, and the urgent need for prevention and global surveillance.

12 Feb 2025

Understanding infection risks in pediatric hematopoietic stem cell transplantation

Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) is a vital treatment for both malignant and non-malignant disorders in pediatric patients.

7 Feb 2025

New AI tool promises faster vaccine development by predicting T cell epitopes

An exciting collaboration between the Ragon Institute and the Jameel Clinic at MIT has achieved a significant milestone in leveraging artificial intelligence (AI) to aid the development of T cell vaccine candidates.

29 Jan 2025

Mapping the human virome to improve disease prevention and treatment

You, my friend, are what scientists call a "holobiont"- an organism made up of human cells and the multiplicity of microscopic species living inside you and on your body.

24 Jan 2025

Breakthrough in antigen recognition: TRACeR-I enhances immune targeting

Researchers describe TRACeR-I, a protein platform that can be used to engineer immune responses.

19 Dec 2024

Early exposure to parental smoking linked to higher MS risk

Cutting early life exposure to parental smoking may lower the risk of developing MS (multiple sclerosis) in those who are genetically predisposed to the disease, finds research published online in the Journal of Neurology Neurosurgery & Psychiatry.

11 Dec 2024

Air pollution linked to head and neck cancer risk

Increased PM2.5 levels are linked to higher head and neck cancer risk, particularly in disadvantaged communities, highlighting urgent public health measures.

15 Nov 2024

VANCE trial marks milestone in t cell therapy for solid tumors

The largest ever clinical trial of T cell therapy for solid tumors has ended, heralding a new era for precision T cell therapy.

11 Nov 2024

Elevated antibody responses to Epstein-Barr virus linked to increased risk of multiple sclerosis

Researchers identified a unique antibody signature against the Epstein-Barr virus protein EBNA1 that correlates with cross-reactive immune responses in multiple sclerosis (MS) patients. This connection provides new insights into how EBV infection may drive MS pathogenesis.

5 Nov 2024