One of the most common viruses in the would has been linked as the potential cause for all lupus cases, according to a study published on Wednesday (November 12).
Epstein-Barr virus, which is acquired by 95% of the global population at some point in life, is now suspected to possibly be the cause of lupus, the autoimmune disease with varying symptoms that has never had a found cause or designated treatment, according to research published in the journal Science Translational Medicine. Scientists have accelerated calls for a vaccine that targets lupus as more evidence shows its link to Epstein-Barr.
“If we now better understand how this fastidious virus is responsible for autoimmune diseases, I think it’s time to figure out how to prevent it,” said Dr. Anca Askanase, clinical director of the Lupus Center at Columbia University, who wasn’t involved involved in the new study via NBC News.
Lupus patients suffer an autoimmune attack that commonly results in extreme fatigue, joint pain and rashes, as well as rare cases that include life-threatening symptoms such as kidney damage or a weakened immune system incapable of fighting off infections. Scientists have long suspected a link between lupus and Epstein-Barr, but hadn’t previously pieced together the two diseases prior to the new findings.
“From our perspective, it’s the key, missing mechanistic link,” said Dr. William Robinson, a co-author of the new study and chief of the division of immunology and rheumatology at Stanford University via NBC News.
“We think it applies to all lupus cases,” he added.
Hundreds of thousands of people are reported to be living with lupus in the United States.
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