Multiple sclerosis: researchers identify the virus causing the disease

This is new hope for patients with multiple sclerosis, a disease that attacks the central nervous system. From the family of herpes viruses and transmitted by saliva, the Epstein-Barr virus is the cause of this autoimmune disease, according to American researchers. According to their results, the risk of contracting multiple sclerosis is multiplied by 32 after an infection by Epstein-Barr. The virus would therefore be necessary for the development of the disease, even if not all infected people contract it.

A discovery that raises hope for a cure. “This is an important step, as it suggests that most cases of multiple sclerosis could be prevented by stopping Epstein-Barr virus infection. Targeting this virus could lead to the discovery of a cure“, said Alberto Ascherio, author of the study and professor of epidemiology at Harvard. The Moderna laboratory has just started a clinical trial on humans to develop a vaccine against this virus and protect against multiple sclerosis, which affects 2.8 million people worldwide This disease is one of the most common causes of disability in young adults.