All Lupus Cases May Be Linked To a Common Virus, Study Finds (nbcnews.com)
(Friday November 14, 2025 @10:30PM (msmash)
from the breakthrough-findings dept.)
One of the most common viruses in the world [1]could be the cause of lupus , an autoimmune disease with wide-ranging symptoms, according to a new study. From a report:
> Until now, lupus was somewhat mysterious: No single root cause of the disease had been found, and while there is no cure, there are medications that can treat it.
>
> The [2]research , published in the journal Science Translational Medicine, suggests that Epstein-Barr virus -- which 95% of people acquire at some point in life -- could cause lupus by driving the body to attack its own healthy cells.
>
> It adds to mounting evidence that Epstein-Barr is associated with multiple long-term health issues, including other autoimmune conditions. As this evidence stacks up, scientists have accelerated calls for a vaccine that targets the virus.
>
> "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 in the new research.
[1] https://www.nbcnews.com/health/health-news/lupus-cause-epstein-barr-virus-study-rcna243364
[2] https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/scitranslmed.ady0210
> Until now, lupus was somewhat mysterious: No single root cause of the disease had been found, and while there is no cure, there are medications that can treat it.
>
> The [2]research , published in the journal Science Translational Medicine, suggests that Epstein-Barr virus -- which 95% of people acquire at some point in life -- could cause lupus by driving the body to attack its own healthy cells.
>
> It adds to mounting evidence that Epstein-Barr is associated with multiple long-term health issues, including other autoimmune conditions. As this evidence stacks up, scientists have accelerated calls for a vaccine that targets the virus.
>
> "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 in the new research.
[1] https://www.nbcnews.com/health/health-news/lupus-cause-epstein-barr-virus-study-rcna243364
[2] https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/scitranslmed.ady0210