The Epstein-Barr Virus and the MS Immune System

On Friday, my producer at The Health Central Network asked me to write something in response to news articles coming out of Australia regarding the Epstein-Barr virus, it's connection to MS, and the development of a vaccine.

So over the weekend I've been - reading, studying, reading some more, writing a little, going back to read again to make sure I understand, writing.........

Below is a brief excerpt of the post which went live this morning. For the full version, click the title below, read, and follow the links to the correlating studies, abstracts, and news reports. This is actually some very interesting research.

"The Kissing Disease" and Multiple Sclerosis: Is there hope for a vaccine?

As reported in The Sydney Morning Herald, Vaccine Hope in MS Link to Virus, the connection between the Epstein-Barr virus and the onset of MS, when combined with the development of an effective vaccine against EBV, may give hope to future generations of persons having a higher risk of developing multiple sclerosis.

Lead researcher at University of Queensland, Michael Pender, has said that once the glandular fever vaccine is fully tested, it could be included in Australia's childhood vaccine program for people who had a diagnosed relative (a higher risk factor).

However, Robert Booy, a professor in pediatrics with the National Centre for Immunization Research at the Children's Hospital at Westmead, said that until scientists could establish the exact cause of MS, it was impossible to ensure a vaccine did not contain proteins which could trigger multiple sclerosis.