Lupus may be caused by the common Epstein-Barr virus, study finds

8 days ago

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Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) may be a cause of lupus, an autoimmune disease, according to a new study.
95% of people acquire EBV at some point in life, and it could trigger autoimmune reactions leading to lupus.
Lupus symptoms include extreme fatigue, joint pain, skin rashes, and in severe cases, kidney damage or immune system weakening.
The study found that EBV-infected B cells are 25 times more prevalent in lupus patients, producing antinuclear antibodies that attack the body's own tissue.
EBV has also been linked to other autoimmune diseases like multiple sclerosis (MS), rheumatoid arthritis, and Crohn’s disease.
Potential future treatments include targeting EBV-infected B cells or developing an EBV vaccine to prevent infections.
Genetics and hormones may also predispose individuals to lupus, alongside EBV infection.

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