Epstein Barr virus infection reactivation as a possible trigger of primary biliary cirrhosis-like syndrome in a patient with multiple sclerosis in the course of fingolimod treatment

Abstract

Primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) and multiple sclerosis (MS) are considered autoimmune diseases with a multifactorial aetiology which is thought to be due to a combination of genetic predisposition and environmental triggers. An association of both diseases has been previously described in sporadic case reports. Fingolimod, an antagonist of the sphingosine 1 phosphate receptor family (S1P1/3/4/5), is a promising and effective drug in the treatment of MS. Here we describe a case of PBC like syndrome that was unmasked, concomitantly or consequently to Epstein Barr virus (EBV) infection reactivation, in a 34 year old male patient with relapsing remitting multiple sclerosis who was receiving fingolimod treatment.