Contributions
Abstract: P767
Type: Poster Sessions
Abstract Category: Pathology and pathogenesis of MS - Microbiology and Virology
Introduction: Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection is a major environmental factor for MS. Limited data supports a potential association of EBV antibody levels and disease activity (DA) in RRMS patients.
Objectives: To determine the time course of EBV antibodies and their relationship with MS activity over 1 year.
Aim: to investigate an association between EBV antibody levels and MS disease activity
Methods: Sera were collected from a group (n=51) of RRMS patients attending the Nottingham Multiple Sclerosis Clinic over a 12-month period. At months 0 and 12 all the patients had been treatment naïve for the preceding 3 months. The following markers were measured by enzyme immunoassays: EBV virus capsid antigen IgG (EBV VCA IgG) and EBV virus nuclear antigen-1 IgG (EBNA-1 IgG). Multiple sclerosis disease activity (DA) was assessed by the analysis of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans performed monthly between months 3-9 and again at month 12. Disease activity (DA) was defined as the appearance of new or enlarging lesions on T2 FLAIR imaging or evidence of Gadolinium-DPTA enhancing T1 enhancing lesions.
Results: All patients tested positive for EBV VCA IgG and over the 12-month study period IgG levels were stable with geometric mean levels of 292 units/ml (range 55-1800) and 300 units/ml (range 65-2100), at 0 and 12 months, respectively. All patients tested positive for EBNA-1 IgG and over the 12-month study period IgG levels were stable with geometric mean levels of 66.8 units/ml (range 12-320) and 66.1 units/ml (range 11-400), at 0 and 12 months, respectively. There were 27 individuals who showed new DA and 21 individuals who showed no new DA and 51.8% and 42.8% of these individuals, respectively, had EBV VCA IgG levels greater than or equal to 300 units/ml. At EBV VCA IgG levels greater than or equal to 600 units/ml a total of 10 (47.6%) individuals showed new DA and 1 (4.7%) individual showed no new DA. A total of 10 (37.0%) individuals who showed new DA and 6 (28.5%) individuals who showed no new DA had EBNA-1 IgG levels greater than or equal to 100 units/ml. At EBNA-1 IgG levels greater than or equal to 150 units/ml there were 7 (25.9%) individuals who showed new DA and 1 (4.7%) individual who showed no new DA.
Conclusion: both EBV VCA IgG and EBNA-1 IgG levels were stable and patients with high EBV VCA IgG levels were 10 times more likely to display new DA.
Disclosure: This study was supported in part by the MS Society of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, an unrestricted grant from Bayer AG, and the Forman Hardy Charitable Trust via the University of Nottingham.
Cris S Constantinescu: nothing to disclose; Peter A.C. Maple: nothing to disclose; Radu Tanasescu: nothing to disclose
Abstract: P767
Type: Poster Sessions
Abstract Category: Pathology and pathogenesis of MS - Microbiology and Virology
Introduction: Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection is a major environmental factor for MS. Limited data supports a potential association of EBV antibody levels and disease activity (DA) in RRMS patients.
Objectives: To determine the time course of EBV antibodies and their relationship with MS activity over 1 year.
Aim: to investigate an association between EBV antibody levels and MS disease activity
Methods: Sera were collected from a group (n=51) of RRMS patients attending the Nottingham Multiple Sclerosis Clinic over a 12-month period. At months 0 and 12 all the patients had been treatment naïve for the preceding 3 months. The following markers were measured by enzyme immunoassays: EBV virus capsid antigen IgG (EBV VCA IgG) and EBV virus nuclear antigen-1 IgG (EBNA-1 IgG). Multiple sclerosis disease activity (DA) was assessed by the analysis of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans performed monthly between months 3-9 and again at month 12. Disease activity (DA) was defined as the appearance of new or enlarging lesions on T2 FLAIR imaging or evidence of Gadolinium-DPTA enhancing T1 enhancing lesions.
Results: All patients tested positive for EBV VCA IgG and over the 12-month study period IgG levels were stable with geometric mean levels of 292 units/ml (range 55-1800) and 300 units/ml (range 65-2100), at 0 and 12 months, respectively. All patients tested positive for EBNA-1 IgG and over the 12-month study period IgG levels were stable with geometric mean levels of 66.8 units/ml (range 12-320) and 66.1 units/ml (range 11-400), at 0 and 12 months, respectively. There were 27 individuals who showed new DA and 21 individuals who showed no new DA and 51.8% and 42.8% of these individuals, respectively, had EBV VCA IgG levels greater than or equal to 300 units/ml. At EBV VCA IgG levels greater than or equal to 600 units/ml a total of 10 (47.6%) individuals showed new DA and 1 (4.7%) individual showed no new DA. A total of 10 (37.0%) individuals who showed new DA and 6 (28.5%) individuals who showed no new DA had EBNA-1 IgG levels greater than or equal to 100 units/ml. At EBNA-1 IgG levels greater than or equal to 150 units/ml there were 7 (25.9%) individuals who showed new DA and 1 (4.7%) individual who showed no new DA.
Conclusion: both EBV VCA IgG and EBNA-1 IgG levels were stable and patients with high EBV VCA IgG levels were 10 times more likely to display new DA.
Disclosure: This study was supported in part by the MS Society of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, an unrestricted grant from Bayer AG, and the Forman Hardy Charitable Trust via the University of Nottingham.
Cris S Constantinescu: nothing to disclose; Peter A.C. Maple: nothing to disclose; Radu Tanasescu: nothing to disclose