This Is MS Multiple Sclerosis Knowledge & Support Community

Genetic variations and glandular fever narrow down MS likelihood



Western Australian scientists are helping to solve the mysteries of multiple sclerosis (MS) with research finding a link between MS development and past infection with glandular fever.

Combined with genetic variations in the immune system, glandular fever has been found to be one of the factors believed to greatly increase the risk of developing MS.

A Murdoch University study is working to find out how these factors affect the development of MS.

Led by Associate Professor David Nolan and funded by the McCusker Charitable Foundation, the study will work with collaborators who will provide specialist medical care for hundreds of men and women affected by MS in Western Australia.... Read More - http://www.msrc.co.uk/index.cfm/fuseact ... pageid/707

squiffy2 wrote:Genetic variations and glandular fever narrow down MS likelihood



Western Australian scientists are helping to solve the mysteries of multiple sclerosis (MS) with research finding a link between MS development and past infection with glandular fever.

Combined with genetic variations in the immune system, glandular fever has been found to be one of the factors believed to greatly increase the risk of developing MS.

A Murdoch University study is working to find out how these factors affect the development of MS.

Led by Associate Professor David Nolan and funded by the McCusker Charitable Foundation, the study will work with collaborators who will provide specialist medical care for hundreds of men and women affected by MS in Western Australia.... Read More - http://www.msrc.co.uk/index.cfm/fuseact ... pageid/707

As an FYI for those of us North Americans puzzled by the term "glandular fever" (like me) I recently looked it up on another post and found it's "mono" around here, caused by our old friend the Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV), a common topic on TIMS.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Infectious_mononucleosis
Here's a short definition from wikipedia, and the other common terms for it:

Infectious mononucleosis (IM; also known as EBV infectious mononucleosis[/b] or glandular fever or Pfeiffer's disease or Filatov's disease[1] and sometimes colloquially as the kissing disease from its oral transmission or simply as mono in North America and as glandular fever in other English-speaking countries) is an infectious, widespread viral disease caused by the Epstein–Barr virus (EBV), one type of herpes virus, to which more than 90% of adults have been exposed.

Although not really directly related, or even specifically about Gene's, these two articles from 2006 have always interested me the most regarding EBV:
Epstein-Barr Virus Might Kick-start Multiple Sclerosis at:http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/medical ... wsid=42767
The second one is a little more general.
Stronger Evidence Found Linking Epstein-Barr Virus And Risk Of Multiple Sclerosis at:http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/medical ... wsid=41490

Both of these are from a thread back in 2006.
http://www.thisisms.com/forum/general-d ... tml#p15254

Great news, I wholeheartedly agree with them, although I personally believe it could be many of the herpes group of viruses responsible (not just, but including EBV/GF) so hope they widen the field a smidge.

I have had glandular fever twice (2 different varients). I think EBV could also be a trigger for me.