One of the world’s most common viral infections could underlie virtually every case of lupus, according to a recent study providing the strongest evidence yet for a link.

The research, led by scientists at Stanford University, has found that the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) could be the trigger behind the ‘cruel mystery’

EBV is the pathogen that causes ‘kissing disease’ (or mononucleosis), and according to the new findings, it can directly infect and reprogram specific immune cells, potentially driving the onset of the chronic autoimmune disease systemic lupus erythematosus – better known as simply lupus.