MADRID, 25 Oct. (EUROPA PRESS) –
A recent study suggests that the risk of developing multiple sclerosis (MS) increased 32 times in those who tested positive for Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection, a relationship that “opens the door” for a vaccine against the virus to prevent cases of MS, according to the head of the Section of the Neurology service at the San Carlos Clinical University Hospital and coordinator of the CSUR for Multiple Sclerosis, Celia Oreja-Guevara.
The study, carried out by researchers at Harvard University and published in the journal ‘Science’, suggests that multiple sclerosis, considered to have an unknown cause, is a complication of Epstein-Barr virus infection.
“Now we know that infection by the virus is a necessary condition, but not sufficient, to have multiple sclerosis,” said Oreja-Guevara during his participation in the ‘Conference Challenges and opportunities in the approach to patients with Multiple Sclerosis’, organized by the Spanish Society of Health Directors (SEDISA), with the collaboration of Roche Farma.
“This type of research opens the door to vaccines against EBV, in addition to possible antivirals that could prevent MS,” said Oreja-Guevara. However, the specialist recalled that there are other factors that could lead to multiple sclerosis, such as vitamin D deficiency, tobacco consumption, obesity, microbiota or an unhealthy diet.
MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS IN SPAIN
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic disease that affects the central nervous system (CNS), which is made up of the brain and spinal cord, which in turn is made up of special cells called neurons.
Neurons are responsible for generating and sending signals throughout the body through their axons, forming nerve fibers, which are protected by an insulating sheath composed of myelin. MS is defined as an autoimmune disease, the immune system is altered, and mistakes its own tissue as foreign, attacking it.
In this case, these attacks damage the myelin or protective insulator that covers the axons, producing damage that can later be repaired in a patchy manner, forming patches of scar tissue, lesions that are called sclerosis, and are called multiple sclerosis because it affects more than a part of the central nervous system.
In the world, it is estimated that around 2.8 million people suffer from this disease, while in Spain it is estimated that there are 55,000 patients, “although we do not have a record yet in our country,” said Oreja-Guevara. Likewise, 85 percent of patients are initially diagnosed with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS), characterized by a succession of flare-ups with periods of remission with complete or partial recovery of the patient.
During his presentation, Oreja-Guevara explained that MS is the second cause of disability in young adults after traffic accidents. In addition, it affects women more, who usually receive the diagnosis between 20 and 40 years old, with 5 percent being diagnosed at pediatric age.
Regarding symptoms, multiple sclerosis can manifest with vision alterations, such as blurred vision and double vision; alterations in sensitivity, tingling; weakness, lack of strength, difficulty walking; coordination disorders; fatigue; cognitive alterations; and urinary disorders.
TREATMENT
Regarding the treatment of the disease, Celia Oreja-Guevara has stressed that “previously we waited for the second outbreak to treat patients, but now it is treated from the moment the diagnosis is received. The patient who is treated as soon as possible may never reach to the wheelchair.”
In this sense, the specialist has highlighted that “treatments have improved a lot in recent years”, while recalling that “we must consider the effectiveness of each one and the adverse effects they may have, as well as adjusting them to each patient. and make them much more personalized.
The expert has explained the classification of treatments, which are divided between those of moderate effectiveness, those of high effectiveness and those of very high effectiveness. “Starting with a treatment of high or very high efficacy is much more efficient than with a moderate treatment, and this is what several studies point out. It has better results and the progression of the disease comes later,” she stated.
Regarding future treatments, Oreja-Guevara has pointed to BTK inhibitors to treat disease progression. Likewise, as challenges, she considers that biomarkers can improve the prognosis of MS, as well as monitoring and treatment decisions.
In this sense, Lucienne Costa, CSUR of Multiple Sclerosis Neurology Service of the Ramón y Cajal Hospital, explained the benefits of biomarkers during her participation in the conference.
“It is a disease with a difficult diagnosis, for example, 70 percent of patients in the United States are misdiagnosed and 50 will receive drugs without suffering from multiple sclerosis, hence the importance of biomarkers,” Costa highlighted. .
“In Spain we use biomarkers and we only have a 7 percent risk of misdiagnosis. They are used for diagnosis and differential diagnosis, as well as to control secondary risks,” the expert detailed, adding that “MRI and bands are fundamental biomarkers.
2023-10-25 13:46:05
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