Is Epstein-Barr virus infection associated with the pathogenesis of microscopic colitis?

Background: Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) has been associated with inflammation in the colon, particularly in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Even if a relevant plasmocytosis, similar to IBD, is present in microscopic colitis (MC), the frequency of EBV infection in this setting is unknown.

Objectives: We aimed to compare the frequency of colonic EBV infection in patients with MC, ulcerative colitis (UC), and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).