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Detecting Epstein-Barr virus DNA from peripheral blood mononuclear cells in adult patients with systemic lupus erythematosus in Taiwan

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Abstract

Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) has been found by many serology studies to be associated with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). However, the results of DNA studies have been conflicting. Therefore, instead of antibody to EBV, we studied the association between EBV DNA and SLE. In this case-control study in Taiwan, we enrolled 87 SLE patients and 174 age- and sex-matched controls. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells of SLE patients and matched controls were tested for EBV DNA by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and Southern blot. Of the 87 SLE patients, 71 (81.6%) were found to be positive for EBV DNA, while 85 (48.9%) of the 174 controls (odds ratio 4.64, 95% confidence interval 2.50–8.62, P<0.0001) were positive. While the EBV DNA-positive rate did not decline with age in SLE patients (P>0.05), it did decline with age in controls (P<0.05). Furthermore, based on a real-time quantitative PCR study, we have found a significant difference between EBV viral load in SLE and controls (P=0.008). Therefore, in our molecular study of DNA level, we found evidence for the association of EBV infection and SLE, suggesting that EBV contributes, if not to the development of SLE, then to disease perpetuation.

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Acknowledgements

We are very grateful to our patients for donation of blood samples. The technical assistance of Miss Pei-Pei Chen, Miss Ming-Chi Yang and Mr. Hang-Ming Chang is highly appreciated. We thank Mr. Steed for editorial assistance with this manuscript. This study was supported by the Yu-Zu memorial prize for lupus research, Kaohsiung Medical University (grant no. KMU 92-A-03), and Chang Gung Memorial Hospital (grant no. BMRP 743). We are grateful for the encouragement and guidance from Prof. Kuei-Hsiang Lin and Prof. Hong-Wen Liu at Kaohsiung Medical University.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Biomedical Science and Environmental Biology, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan

    Chung-Yee Yuo

  2. Institute of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan

    Huei-Chuin Wu

  3. Department of Internal Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan

    Wen-Chan Tsai & Jeng-Hsien Yen

  4. Department of microbiology, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan

    Lien-Chai Chiang

  5. Department of Internal Medicine, Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan

    Shan-Fu Yu & Sheng-Nan Lu

  6. Department of Clinical Laboratory, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan

    Wen Chiang

  7. Division of Rheumatology, Allergy and Immunology, Department of Internal Medicine, Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, No. 123, Ta-Pei Road, Niao-Sung Hsiang, 833, Kaohsiung Hsein, Taiwan

    Chung-Jen Chen

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  1. Shan-Fu Yu
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Correspondence to Chung-Jen Chen.

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Yu, SF., Wu, HC., Tsai, WC. et al. Detecting Epstein-Barr virus DNA from peripheral blood mononuclear cells in adult patients with systemic lupus erythematosus in Taiwan. Med Microbiol Immunol 194, 115–120 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00430-004-0230-5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00430-004-0230-5

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