Frequency and association of Epstein-Barr virus genotypes in patients with central nervous system inflammatory demyelinating diseases

Aims Epstein–Barr virus (EBV) has been implicated in CNS inflammatory demyelinating diseases (CNS-IDDs). This study evaluated EBV genotype prevalence in CNS-IDD patients and its association with demographic and clinical factors.Materials and methods Blood samples and clinical data were collected from 40 patients with CNS-IDD and 40 healthy controls at the Department of Neurology in Peshawar, Pakistan. DNA was extracted, and EBV genotyping was performed using PCR.Results EBV was detected in 40% of CNS-IDD patients versus 12.5% of controls (p = 0.005; OR = 4.667; 95% CI: 1.507–14.455), all of which were EBV type-1 genotype. Positivity was highest in Transverse myelitis (100%) and Relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (47.1%), whereas Acute disseminated encephalomyelitis was negative (p = 0.483). The 30–39 age group showed the highest rate (11.25%; p = 0.452), and prevalence did not vary by disease duration (p = 0.683). EBV was significantly associated with paraparesis (p = 0.018), while vision issues, sphincteric disturbances, smoking, adolescent obesity, and autoimmune history were not significant predictors, despite numerically higher EBV rates in nonsmokers, non-obese, and non-autoimmune individuals.Conclusions In conclusion, EBV type-1 was prevalent in CNS-IDD and warrants further investigation to elucidate its genetic and immunological effects.