Enhanced serological and virological findings of Epstein-Barr virus in patients with AIDS and AIDS-related complex.
The potential involvement of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) in AIDS was examined by determining the type of EBV-specific antibody responses and the EBV content or lymphoproliferative ability present in selected body fluids of patients with AIDS or AIDS-related complex. The results were compared with two control groups. An enhanced antibody response to a broad spectrum of EBV antigens was found in patients with AIDS or AIDS-related complex. The pattern of virus-specific antibody responses resembled that associated with a persistent or reactivated infection. The content of EBV in oropharyngeal secretions and the lymphoproliferative ability in peripheral blood from patients with AIDS or AIDS-related complex was significantly greater than that from healthy controls and approached levels detected in the control group with infectious mononucleosis. These findings, together with recent reports of cellular-level interaction between EBV and human T lymphotropic virus type III, suggest that EBV may have a contributory role in these disorders.
D000386:AIDS-Related Complex / Q000382:microbiology*; D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000382:microbiology*; D000914:Antibodies, Viral / Q000032:analysis; D001826:Body Fluids / Q000032:analysis; D004854:Herpesvirus 4, Human / Q000276:immunology / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D006801:Humans; D007070:Immunoglobulin A / Q000032:analysis; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000032:analysis; D007075:Immunoglobulin M / Q000032:analysis; D011446:Prospective Studies
D000914:Antibodies, Viral; D007070:Immunoglobulin A; D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D007075:Immunoglobulin M