Epstein–Barr Virus Strongly Associates With Pediatric Multiple Sclerosis, But Not Myelin Oligodendrocyte Glycoprotein‐Antibody‐Associated Disease

Abstract

Reported rates of Epstein–Barr virus (EBV) seropositivity in children meeting multiple sclerosis (MS) diagnostic criteria are considerably lower than those reported in adult‐onset MS, putting in question a requisite role for EBV in MS development. As prior work preceded recognition of myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein‐associated disease (MOGAD), we assessed viral serologies in 251 children with incident demyelination and prospectively ascertained diagnoses. When MOGAD was serologically accounted for, the prevalence of EBV infection among MS children exceeded 90%, whereas remote EBV infection was not associated with MOGAD risk. Together, these findings substantiate EBV's role across the MS spectrum, and support distinct pathobiological mechanisms in MS versus MOGAD. ANN NEUROL 2024;95:700–705