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P.017 EBNA1 titres are elevated in radiologically isolated syndrome and correlate with plasma GFAP

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  10 July 2025

E Munasinghe
Affiliation:
(Toronto)
K Brand-Arzamendi
Affiliation:
(Toronto)
T Lim
Affiliation:
(Toronto)
L Lee
Affiliation:
(Toronto)
M Guenette
Affiliation:
(Toronto)
S Suthiphosuwan
Affiliation:
(Toronto)
A Bharatha
Affiliation:
(Toronto)
J Oh
Affiliation:
(Toronto)
R Schneider
Affiliation:
(Toronto)*
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Abstract

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Background: Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection is believed to be a critical prerequisite for the development of multiple sclerosis (MS). This study aims to investigate whether anti-EBV titres are elevated before the onset of MS symptoms in people with radiologically isolated syndrome (pwRIS) and to evaluate their association with markers of adverse clinical outcomes. Methods: Epstein-Barr nuclear antigen 1 (EBNA1) and viral capsid antigen (VCA) titres were quantified in a cohort of 47 pwRIS and 24 healthy controls using Enzyme-Linked Immuno-Sorbent Assay. Plasma glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) and neurofilament light protein (NfL) were measured using single-molecule array. MRI lesion metrics and the development of MS symptoms over time were also evaluated. Results: EBNA1 titres were higher pwRIS compared to healthy controls (p=0.038), while VCA titres were not (p=0.237). A positive correlation was observed between EBNA1 titres and plasma GFAP in pwRIS (p=0.005). Neither EBNA1 nor VCA titres correlated with NfL. MRI lesion measures and the development of MS symptoms did not show any significant relationship with EBNA1 or VCA titres. Conclusions: Eelevated EBNA1 titres are detectable prior to MS symptom onset and correlate with GFAP, a biomarker associated with worse clinical outcomes. However, their role in disease progression and clinical outcomes requires further investigation.

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Abstracts
Copyright
© The Author(s), 2025. Published by Cambridge University Press on behalf of Canadian Neurological Sciences Federation