Machhua S, Sharma SK, Kumar Y, Singh S, Anand S, Handa S, Minz RW. Detection of Epstein-Barr virus in systemic sclerosis patients: A molecular and serological based study.
Int J Rheum Dis 2022;
25:1431-1436. [PMID:
36102054 DOI:
10.1111/1756-185x.14440]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2022] [Revised: 06/05/2022] [Accepted: 08/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE
This study aimed to evaluate an association between Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) and systemic sclerosis (SSc).
METHODOLOGY
One hundred and fifty (138 female, 12 male) consecutive adult SSc patients fulfilling the American College of Rheumatology (ACR)/ European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR) criteria were included in this cross-sectional study. Serological analysis by line blot for class immunoglobulin G (IgG) and IgM antibodies against EBV antigen (EBV capsid antigen [VCA] gp125, VCA p19, EBNA-1, p22, EA-D) and quantification of EBV DNA in whole blood by real-time polymerase chain reaction was performed.
RESULTS
Class IgM antibodies against VCA gp125 (22.8% vs 0%, P < .0002), VCA p19 (55.7% vs 4.4%, P < .0001), EBNA1 (35.7% vs 0%, P < .0001), p22 (24.2% vs 0%, P < .0001), EA-D (14.2% vs 2.2%, P < .04), and class IgG antibodies against p22 (95.7% vs 82.2%, P < .02) and EA-D (54.2% vs 0%, P < .0001) reactivities were significantly higher in SSc patients than in controls. The past infection was significantly associated with the control group (42.8% vs 91%, P < .0001); and the viral reactivation was significantly associated with the SSc group (55.7% vs 4.4%, P < .0001). Only three (2%) out of 150 SSc patients were positive for EBV DNA, similar to the control group (2%) (P > .9).
CONCLUSION
The study shows a strong serological association of EBV (reactivation stage) with SSc patients in the absence of viral DNA in the circulation, indicating the EBV reservoir or tropism presence elsewhere.
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