Is epstein barr virus a risk factor for the onset of systemic lupus erythematous in adult population?

Abstract

Introduction: Epstein Barr virus is considered to be a risk factor for the onset of systemic lupus erythematosous (SLE). The epidemiology data are showing an estimated prevalence of Epstein Barr virus (EBV) of 4.471.110 referred to 22x106 established population in Romania. The majority of the epidemiological studies published are showing a prevalence of 90% infections with EBV in paediatric population diagnosed with lupus. The main aim of our study was to evaluate the presence of EBV in adult patients diagnosed with SLE. Material and method: A prospective, cross-sectional study was conducted. Twenty-six patients diagnosed with SLE passed the inclusion criteria. The variables monitored were: the presence of the IgG or IgM EBV, the onset of the disease, the presence of the antinuclear antibodies (ANA), DNAds antibodies, the anticardiolipin antibodies (ACL), the presence of cytopenia and the treatment followed. Results: The mean age of the subjects involved in the study was 46.77 +/- 11.43 years old with a mean age at the onset of the disease of 39.04 +/- 10.51 years old and a disease onset of 8.173 +/- 5.975 years. We weren’t able to prove a correlation between the presence of EBV and the disease (p>0.001) as well as with the presence of antibodies – ANA (p: 0.067, r: 0.365), DNAds antibodies (p: 0.463, r: 0.330), ACL (p: 0.779, r: -0.040). No correlations were found concerning the treatment (p>0.001) or the presence of cytopenia (p>0.001). Conclusion: We couldn’t prove the active role of EBV in the onset of SLE in adult population. It is to be considered different risk factors for the onset of the disease in adult populations versus paediatric ones.