ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Although the causes of multiple sclerosis (MS) remain partially unknown, environmental and genetic factors are thought to play a role in its aetiopathogenesis. Hypovitaminosis D, Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) and human herpesvirus 6 (HHV-6) infections have been described as possible MS triggers. Our aim was to analyse the possible link between 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] and viruses in patients with MS. METHODS: We included 482 patients with MS in a 2-year study. Serum samples were collected to analyse 25(OH)D levels and, according to sample availability, antibody titres against EBV and HHV-6 by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. DNA was extracted from blood in order to analyse EBV and HHV-6 viral load by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction and to genotype MS-related single nucleotide polymorphisms (rs3135388, rs2248359 and rs12368653) when possible. RESULTS: The 25(OH)D levels were significantly higher in the first semester of the year than in the second. Carriers of the risk allele rs2248359-C showed lower 25(OH)D levels than non-carriers. For EBV, viral load was significantly higher when 25(OH)D levels were low, demonstrating an inverse correlation between 25(OH)D levels and EBV load. CONCLUSIONS: The 25(OH)D levels could be involved in the regulation of EBV replication/reactivation in patients with MS.