The association of multiple sclerosis and Hodgkin's disease: the role of Epstein-Barr virus infection

The aetiology of multiple sclerosis ( MS) is still an unresolved question. Several recently reported studies are implicating Epstein - Barr virus ( EBV) as one of the key players in MS pathogenesis. We present a 21- year- old male patient with a history of EBV- related infectious mononucleosis in puberty and Hodgkin's disease two years previously treated with irradiation and chemotherapy. The patient presented with spastic paraparesis that resolved promptly on corticosteroid treatment. There were no signs of Hodgkin's disease relapse. In the next three years he had three more bouts of the disease and he was diagnosed with relapse - remitting MS. There is evidence of EBV involvement in MS pathogenesis; the association of MS with EBV- related infectious mononucleosis and Hodgkin's disease being just one of them. Although there are many unanswered questions, it is clear that without EBV seropositivity MS in adults is extremely rare.