Abstract
regarded as an important pathogenetic factor that contributes to chronic neuroinflammation.We determined a relationship between EBV, HHV-6 and HHV-7 viral load in the saliva and serum levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines (IFNalpha, IFNgamma, IL-1, IL-2) in a group of ME patients. Materials: 32 ME patients (11 female, mean age 32 ± 5) were enrolled into the study. The patients were divided into groups based on viral load and on viruses detected. 30 volunteers (12 female, mean age 32.3 ± 4.7) were enrolled as controls. Real-time quantitative PCR was used to assess the viral load, and ELISA was used to assess serum cytokine levels. Mann–Whitney U-test was used for statistical analysis. Results: Mean cytokine levels were higher in ME patients than in controls. To study the impact of EBV on cytokine levels, EBV-positiveME patients (n = 19) were divided into group 1 (EBV b 4 lg copies/ml) and group 2 (EBV N 4 lg copies/ml). Mean IFNgamma level differed significantly (p b 0.01) between groups (121.26 ± 41.76 pg/ml and 13.15 ± 5.76 pg/ml), and mean IL-2 level differed (p= 0.05) between groups (33.3 ± 15.66 pg/ml and 17 ± 16.8 pg/ml). Also, in group 2 EBV load correlatedwell with IFNgamma (r =−0.5, p b 0.05) andwith IL-2 levels (r =−0.56, p b 0.025). Mean IFNgamma and IL-2 levels were lower in patientswith EBV/HHV-6 coinfection then in patientswith EBV and without HHV-6, but the difference was not significant. To study the role of HHV-7 inME, we determined HHV-7 load in 22 random patients from ME group. In these patients, HHV-7 load N 6 lg copies/ml was a good marker for EBV load N 4 lg copies/ml (sensitivity 70%, specificity 100%), and HHV-7 load correlated well with EBV load (r = 0.8524, p b 0.001). 2 groups were formed based on HHV-7 load: group 1b (HHV-7 b 6 lg c/ml), and group 2b (HHV-7 N 6 lg c/ml). Mean EBV load differed significantly (p b 0.05) between groups (3.3 ± 0.6 lg copies/ml and 5.49 ± 0.76 lg copies/ml). Conclusions: ME patients differ in Th1-cell cytokine levels (IFNgamma and IL-2) depending on EBV viral load in the saliva. This result supports the suppressive impact of EBV on IFNgamma secretion described in vitro. HHV-7 viral load has predictive value for EBV viral load in ME patients. We are planning to assess cytokines in saliva as well as in blood serum of ME patients.
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.