Epstein-Barr Virus Antibodies to Differentiate Multiple Sclerosis From Other Neuroinflammatory Diseases

Can distinct Epstein-Barr virus–specific antibody levels, particularly when measured longitudinally, distinguish multiple sclerosis (MS) from myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein antibody–associated disease (MOGAD) and neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD)?In this multicenter case-control study including the plasma samples of 2091 patients with neuroinflammatory disease and 1976 healthy controls, high Epstein-Barr nuclear antigen 1 peptide antibody titers were more frequent in MS than in MOGAD and NMOSD. Persistent high titers occurred in a majority of patients with MS.Study results suggest that serial Epstein-Barr virus–specific immunoglobulin G measurement may provide a useful adjunct biomarker to differentiate MS from MOGAD and NMOSD.

Corresponding Author: Hannes Vietzen, PhD, Center for Virology, Medical University of Vienna, Kinderspitalgasse 15, 1090 Vienna, Austria (hannes.vietzen@meduniwien.ac.at).

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