Higher incidence of Epstein-Barr virus-induced lymphocyte transformation in multiple sclerosis

Objectives Epstein–Barr virus (EBV) infection is associated with multiple sclerosis (MS), and EBV may transform lymphoblastoid cell lines more frequently in MS patients than controls, but it is not clear whether this reflects a higher viral load or an enhanced ability to reactivate EBV. Material and methods MS patients and controls were examined for their B‐cell subsets and during 16 weeks for spontaneous lymphocyte transforming events. Results MS patients had normal distribution of B‐cell subsets, but a significantly higher incidence of B‐cell transforming events, which occurred with kinetics similar to controls. Conclusions The higher incidence suggests an increased frequency of latent EBV‐infected B cells in MS.