Guest Author - Jim Lowrance

With the searching I've done these past four years but especially these past months & weeks, I am absolutely amazed at how many diseases, especially autoimmune ones, are believed to be directly caused or associated with the "Epstein-Barr Virus" (EBV, EB-Virus). The medical science-research community is taking this virus much more seriously than ever before and many of the most reputable research organizations are suggesting that a vaccine be developed for this virus because of the potential it has for causing these diseases. It is also strongly associated with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS), according to the Centers for Disease Control.

This particular virus is far more hazardous to public health than was previously believed for roughly the past 30 years. Medical sources in the past believed that everyone that is infected with EBV becomes immuned to it, with no reoccurance from it of any kind or complications in it affecting the immune system. There was also previously very little research in regard to it causing other diseases but for the past several years, this belief has drastically changed. They now agree that the virus "reactivates" and "replicates" in some people and goes on to cause the development of many other diseases.

The EBV virus is "significantly" more common in autoimmune thyroiditis patients and in Sjogren's Syndrome patients, than in healthy patients, according to the National Institutes of Health/National Library of Medicine (PubMed). You can find this research in the articles they published entitled; "Epstein-Barr virus serology in patients with autoimmune thyroiditis" and "Association of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) with Sjögren's syndrome: differential EBV expression between epithelial cells and lymphocytes in salivary glands".

In an article entitled; "DIAGNOSTICS AND THERAPY OF EPSTEIN-BARR VIRUS IN AUTOIMMUNE DISORDERS", found on the "World Intellectual Property Organization" website, they state that the "Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation", is trying to develop a vaccine for EBV following a filed patent on their proposed idea for one. This firm research states the fact that a vaccine is needed due to the EBV reactivating in some people, causing autoimmune diseases.

In an article found on the "Medical News Today", online magazine, entitled; "Epstein-Barr Virus Might Kick-start Multiple Sclerosis" (07 May 2006), they show the association between Multiple Sclerosis and EBV.

In an article on the "Lymphoma Information Network" website, they state that
EBV is associated with Hodgkins Disease and is found present in the blood samples of 40% to 60% of patients with Hodgkins.

EBV is also common in people with Lupus. It remains dormant or latent in people but can reactivate and becomes a possible trigger for development of Lupus, according to the "arthritis Foundation", in their article entitled; "Epstein-Barr virus and lupus".

In an article on the "BioMed Central" website entitled; "Epstein-Barr virus load in rheumatoid arthritis patients and normal controls: accurate quantification using real time PCR", it states that medical research has identified EBV as a cause of Rheumatoid Arthritis, which they have known for over 20 years.

According to the "Clinical Cancer Research" website, EBV has been implemented as a cause of Burkitt's lymphoma, Hodgkin's disease, non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, nasopharyngeal carcinoma, and lymphomas, as well as leiomyosarcomas, some of these, being forms of cancer.

EBV can be a trigger for autoimmune hepatitis, as is discussed in the article found on the "CAT.INIST" website, entitled; "Epstein-Barr virus as a trigger for autoimmune hepatitis in susceptible individuals".

Evidence of Epstein-Barr virus affecting mucosal inflammatory cells of ulcerative colitis, is found on the "PubMed" website entitled; "Evidence of Epstein-Barr virus infection in ulcerative colitis.".

EBV antibodies are associated with Neurological Diseases, including; Bell's palsy, encephalitis and acute cerebellar ataxia, according to the page on the PubMed website entitled; "Epstein-Barr virus antibodies in neurological diseases". They also discuss this in their article entitled; "Antibodies to Epstein-Barr virus in neurological diseases", which states that the infected person may never have had monolucleosis but is still carrying the EB Virus.

Many of these artcles, including that last one I refer to on PubMed, clearly state that EBV does not have to be mono at any point to cause these problems and that the virus can "reactivate" and "replicate". This is not hype, EBV research is vast and ultra-reputable. This virus may be one of the most prominent factors in causing autoimmune diseases that is out there. It is incredible that they are just lately trying to develop a vaccine for EBV. The number of diseases, including autoimmune ones that it is believed EBV can cause, is alarming!