During the winter period, when people tend to spend less time outdoors, there is a direct consequence in the decrease of vitamin D levels in the body. It is important to note that the precursor of this vitamin, which functions as a hormone, is already present in the human body, but it needs to undergo a process to transform into vitamin D.
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A new study deepens the understanding of the immunological mechanisms underlying the link between the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) and multiple sclerosis, providing critically important data for the development of future vaccines.
The details of this study were published in the journal 'Science Translational Medicine'. The work was led by Kjetil Bjornvik from Harvard School of Public Health (USA), who also participated in the 2022 study previously published by the agency EFE.
The initial study, published in the same journal, established a correlation between EBV infection and an increased risk of developing multiple sclerosis. This early analysis was based on long-term observation of millions of US military participants over twenty years.
Despite the significance of these results, experts believe that the development of the disease is caused by a combination of genetic and environmental factors, rather than a single cause. Furthermore, scientists still face the complex task of understanding why only a small portion of the population develops multiple sclerosis, given that over 95% of the adult population is already infected with EBV.
This new research is one of the first to clarify potential immunological pathways linking the virus and multiple sclerosis, offering a fundamental basis for creating antiviral drugs and vaccines. Multiple sclerosis is defined as an inflammatory autoimmune disease of the central nervous system, which is the main cause of neurological disability in young adults.
Although later works, including the one from 2022, point to a 'consistent association' with EBV, present in almost all patients, other experiments highlight CD4+ T-cells (key immune white blood cells) as an important factor. However, scientists emphasize the need for further investigation to accurately determine the mechanisms before developing therapeutic agents.
As part of the new study, scientists conducted a comprehensive analysis of CD4+ T-cells in multiple sclerosis patients. They found that these cells were attracted by various components of target viral particles, specifically late lytic capsid antigens (structural proteins forming the protective shell of a virus such as Epstein-Barr) and glycoprotein (molecules consisting of protein chains linked to carbohydrates).
The reactions of these T-cells were twice as strong in patients with untreated multiple sclerosis compared to healthy controls, indicating a link to the biology of the disease. The team also found that therapy aimed at reducing B-cells using anti-CD20 antibodies decreased the mentioned viral T-cell responses by 2.5 times in two groups of patients (a total of 69 people) and almost completely eliminated viral spread in saliva.
The study authors conclude that by identifying a easily measurable and peripherally accessible immune response associated with the disease, this work lays the foundation for the rational design and monitoring of vaccines and antiviral agents aimed at combating the illness.
Emma Marsden's life changed on February 28th due to an accident that occurred while working with horses. The 47-year-old woman fell headfirst into a trough containing a mixture of water and dirt. After this, she washed her face and hands to remove the grime, but left her contact lenses in.
According to the British newspaper The Mirror, four days after the incident, Emma began experiencing severe pain in her right eye. She went to the hospital, where doctors initially suspected an ulcer, prescribed eye drops, and sent her home.
However, the problem and pain persisted until Emma lost vision in her right eye. During a subsequent appointment on March 7th, she was diagnosed with keratitis caused by Acanthamoeba—an infection triggered by a parasite that settled in the cornea.
Emma Marsden was told that the cause of this situation was washing her face while continuing to wear contact lenses. The parasite 'ate away' at the cornea, and the British woman's eye became gray and cloudy. There is a risk that Emma may permanently lose sight in her right eye, which The Mirror described as a 'heartbreaking' situation.
Doctors performed eyelid sutures on the affected eye to begin the recovery process. However, in the future, Marsden may face the need for a corneal transplant. Because of this, she appeals to all contact lens users to handle them carefully and properly.
