Abstract
Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is a human herpes virus that persists for life and is associated with several neoplasms. Haptoglobin (Hp), a polymorphic multifunctional plasma protein, exerts several immunomodulatory effects. The present study investigated the influence of the genetic polymorphism of Hp on EBV serology. Patients without immunoglobulin G (IgG) titers of EBV were compared according to Hp phenotypes (Hp 1-1, Hp 2-1, Hp 2-2; determined by starch gel electrophoresis) in 208 individuals against 918 healthy subjects with unknown EBV status. The Hp 1-1 phenotype was associated with a lower EBV antibody titer (p=0.0005). Our study confirms the involvement of the Hp phenotype in infection with EBV. Phenotypes with a higher Hp concentration (Hp 1-1 and Hp 2-1) are less prone to positive EBV serology.
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