THE ASSOCIATION OF EPSTEIN-BARR VIRUS ANTIBODIES WITH RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS AMONG YEMENI PATIENTS IN SANA’A CITY

Arwa M Othman; Eshtiaq A Alyosfi; Hassan A AL-Shamahy

doi:10.22270/ujpr.v2i4.R4

Arwa M Othman Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Sana’a University, Sana’a, Yemen.
Eshtiaq A Alyosfi Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Sana’a University, Sana’a, Yemen.
Hassan A AL-Shamahy Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Sana’a University, Yemen.

10.22270/ujpr.v2i4.R4

Keywords:

Anti EBV-VCA IgG antibodies, anti EBV-VCA IgM antibodies, Epstein- Barr Virus, Rheumatoid arthritis, Yemeni

Abstract

Objectives: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic autoimmune disease that is associated with progressive disability, systemic complications and early death. Etiology of RA is unknown. It is assumed that environmental factors initiate RA development in genetically susceptible individuals. Epstein- Barr Virus (EBV) stimulates polyclonal B cell activation and has been suggested to play a role in RA pathogenesis. Current study aimed to study the association between EBV and RA.

Methods: One hundred and sixty subjects were enrolled in the study. Eighty individuals were clinically diagnosed to have RA and confirmed by anti-CCP3 test. The remaining 80 individuals were healthy controls matched for age and sex. Serum IgG and IgM antibodies against EBV viral capsid antigen (VCA) were tested by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).

Results: The crude prevalence rate of EBV-VCA IgM antibodies among patients was (21.2%) while in healthy individuals was (8.7%) with significant OR equals to 2.8 times for RA patient's. The female prevalence rate of EBV-VCA IgM antibodies was (21.8%) higher than of male (18.7%). The female prevalence rate of EBV-VCA IgG antibodies was (95.3%) higher than of male (75%). EBV-VCA IgG and IgM antibodies titers were elevated in RA patients than in healthy controls. However, the causative relationship between EBV and RA is complex and involves different mechanisms.

Conclusion: In conclusion, high titers of EBV antibodies are associated with RA. However, the causative relationship between EBV and autoimmune diseases is complex and involves different mechanisms.