Abstract

BRASIL-COSTA, Igor et al. Diagnostic evaluation of infections by Epstein-Barr virus, parvovirus B19, and human T-cell lymphotropic virus in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus from a reference hospital in Pará State, Brazil. Rev Pan-Amaz Saude [online]. 2016, vol.7, n.esp, pp.167-176. ISSN 2176-6215.  http://dx.doi.org/10.5123/s2176-62232016000500019.

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic autoimmune disease whose development may be associated with viral infections, such as Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), parvovirus B19, and human T-cell lymphotropic virus (HTLV). A cross-sectional study was performed between June and September 2014 involving 85 patients from the Hospital Jean Bitar, located in Belém, Pará State, Brazil. A survey of specific antibodies against the studied viral agents was conducted, in addition to a survey of the EBV and HTLV genomes. Clinical and epidemiologic variables were also evaluated. Most patients were female, approximately 30 years old, and declared themselves as Caucasians. The following positive results were detected for EBV: IgM = 37.6%, IgG = 98.8%, and qPCR = 2.4%, with 85,028 and 298 copies of the genome per milliliter of plasma. Positive results for B19 were: IgM = 0%, IgG = 67.1%. Serological or qPCR detection did not reveal HTLV. A significant statistical correlation was observed between anti-EBV IgM antibodies and younger patients. These findings may be related to the highly efficient production of this immunoglobulin during acute primary infections, which frequently occurs in children and young adults. Furthermore, the results for anti-B19 IgG were associated with the patients' advanced age, resulting from the longer exposure period to the virus combined with this marker's persistence after exposure. Presence of the marker was not associated with clinical and epidemiological variables. However, the percentage of cases of acute infection by the EBV marker suggests an association with SLE.

Keywords : Systemic Lupus Erythematosus; Epstein-Barr Virus; Parvovirus B19; HTLV.

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