抗病毒药物或可治疗多发性硬化症

THE best therapy for multiple sclerosis (MS) might be antivirals that target the Epstein-Barr virus. There is strong evidence that the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), which causes mononucleosis, or glandular fever, is also the cause of MS. But exactly how remains a mystery. The thinking has been that B-cells help drive the harmful immune response in people with MS, says Levy, and this is why drugs that reduce B-cell levels work. But the results suggest these drugs also work by eliminating EBV-infected B-cells, he says, thereby reducing the immune response caused by active viral replication. “We’re thinking that depleting B-cells is also depleting the reservoir of the Epstein-Barr virus.” Almost everyone is infected with EBV before adulthood. …