Study On The Relationships Between Epstein-Barr Virus Infection And Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

Objective Systemic lupus erythematosus is an autoimmune disease whichis severely harmful to the health of human, so far its etiology andpathogenesis is still obscure. The aim of this study was to investigatethe relationships between EBV infection and ShE. We hopefully afford anew way in a field of precaution and treatment of SLE.Methods 60 patients with SLE and 32 age- and sex- matched normalcontrols were enrolled in the study. EBV DNA from peripheral bloodmononuclear cells (PBMCs) was measured with real-time fluorescentquantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR). We have also analyzedwhether the EBV Infection affect hepatic function,renal function,hematological system or other aspects of SLE patients.Resultsâ‘ EBV DNA was detected in 13 of 60(49 active vs. 11 inactive)SLE patients (detection rate 21.67%), in which 11 were active (detectionrate 22.45%)and 2 inactive (detection rate 18.18%), while 1 of the 32controls was detected (detection rate 3.13%). EBV DNA detection rate ofSLE patients is higher than normal controls(21.67% vs. 3.13%, x~2=4.217,P=0.040). there was no difference between the active diseases and theinactive ones (22.45% vs. 18.18%, x~2=0.000, P=1.000).â‘¡The EBV DNA loadof 13 SLE patients was not correlated with SLEDAI(r=0.332, P=0.267).â‘¢13 of 60 SLE patients EBV DNA were detected, 47 were not. The levels ofALT was higher than normal value in 6 of 13, while 5 of 47 was so, therewas significantly difference in two groups (46.15% vs. 10.64%, x~2=6.314, P=0.012); The levels of CREA was abnormal in 4 of 13, while 8 of 47 wasso. there was no statistics difference in two groups (30.77% vs. 17.02%,x~2=0.497, P=0.481); The numbers of WBC,HGB and/or PLT was abnormal in 10of 13, while 23 of 47 was so, there was also no statistics difference intwo groups (76.92% vs. 48.94%, x~2=3.223, P=0.073); By the same way, nostatistic differences were found in ESR,CRP,Complement and urine protein/24h of the two groups. The statistic results are: x~2=0.000, P=1.000;x~2=2.902, P=0.088; x~2=0.589, P=0.043; x~2=0.469, P=0.493, respectively.Conclusions EBV DNA detection rate of SLE patients is higher than normalcontrols, there was significant difference in the two groups, the studyfound that there was significant association between EBV infection andSLE. There was no difference between the active diseases and the inactiveones, there was no significant evidence between EBV infection and thedevelopment of SLE. EBV infection may also impair or aggravate hepaticfunction of SLE patients.