Markers of Epstein-Barr Virus Infection in Association with the Onset and Poor Control of Rheumatoid Arthritis: A Prospective Cohort Study.

ABSTRACT: Although the connection between Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA) has been studied for over 40 years, many questions still need clarification. The study aimed to analyze the possible association between anti-EBV antibody titers, EBV DNA viremia, EBV infection status and EBNA1 (Epstein-Barr nuclear antigen 1-EBNA1) variants and clinical parameters of RA patients. This prospective cohort study included 133 RA patients and 50 healthy controls. Active/recent EBV infection was more prevalent in RA patients than in controls (42% vs. 16%, p < 0.001). RA patients had higher titers of anti-EBV-CA-IgM (capsid antigen-CA) and anti-EBV-EA(D)-IgG (early antigen-EA) antibodies than controls (p = 0.003 and p = 0.023, respectively). Lower levels of anti-EBNA1-IgG

SUBMITTER: Miljanovic D 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10459700 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature