Epstein-Barr virus antibody in newly diagnosed multiple sclerosis patients and its association with relapse severity and lesion location.

Background: Epstein-Barr virus is considered a risk factor for the development of multiple sclerosis, and recent findings reveal infected plasma -cells in meningeal ectopic lymphoid deposits. Activation of the dormant virus could be responsible for the multiple sclerosis exacerbation AIMS: To compare Epstein-Barr nuclear IgG (EBNA IgG) titer in newly diagnosed treatment-naive multiple sclerosis patients regarding the diagnoses date, clinical and radiological activity.

Methods: Treatment-naive multiple sclerosis patients were divided into two groups according to Poser (late group) and McDonald2017(early group) diagnostic criteria.