Herpes viruses in multicase families with rheumatoid arthritis.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the rate and extent of infection by Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), cytomegalovirus, and herpesvirus 6 in families (affected and nonaffected members) with multiple cases of rheumatoid arthritis (RA).


METHODS
Viral DNA was detected by polymerase chain amplification in cells from saliva and peripheral blood. Human leukocyte antigen pedigrees were characterized.


RESULTS
Viral DNA, particularly EBV, was detected in increased frequency (p = 0.029) in the patients with RA compare to their nonaffected relatives.


CONCLUSIONS
We suggest that in RA multicase families, increased frequency of viral infection is likely a consequence of the disease state and/or due to gene(s) as yet unidentified.
Newkirk
M M
MM
Department of Medicine, McGill University, Montreal, Canada.
Duffy
K N
KN
Paleckova
A
A
Ivaskova
E
E
Galianova
A
A
Seeman
J
J
Vojtechovsky
K
K
Dostal
C
C
D000368:Aged; D000483:Alleles; D001170:Arthritis, Infectious / Q000276:immunology / Q000821:virology*; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000276:immunology / Q000821:virology*; D003586:Cytomegalovirus Infections / Q000150:complications*; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000032:analysis; D005192:Family Health; D005260:Female; D006680:HLA Antigens / Q000032:analysis / Q000235:genetics; D006564:Herpesviridae / Q000235:genetics; D006566:Herpesviridae Infections / Q000150:complications*; D004854:Herpesvirus 4, Human; D015654:Herpesvirus 6, Human; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010641:Phenotype; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D012217:Rheumatoid Factor / Q000032:analysis; D014412:Tumor Virus Infections / Q000150:complications*
D004279:DNA, Viral; D006680:HLA Antigens; D012217:Rheumatoid Factor