title: Search for evidence of recurring or persistent viruses in Crohn's disease.
abstract: New-onset Crohn's disease and acute flares are often associated with viral infections. The aim of this study was to search for evidence of persistent or recurrent viruses in patients. Tissue blocks were obtained from surgical specimens from patients and a control population. 111 samples were tested by PCR or RT-PCR, for EBV, CMV, HSV 1, HSV 2, HHV 8, pestiviruses, and enteroviruses. Additionally, seven sets of serum samples, including pre-operative and post-operative samples, from CD patients were analyzed serologically for antibodies to EBV. The tests revealed evidence of EBV nucleic acid in tissues of 11 patients from a total of 70 tested (15.7%) and in tissues of 3 of 41 control subjects (7.3%). Evidence of pestivirus was found in one CD patient, while one patient and one control were positive for CMV. No HSV 1 or 2, HHV 8 or enteroviruses were found. The serologic tests revealed that five of seven CD patients had antibodies against the early protein, the capsid protein and the EBV nuclear antigen (EBNA). The titers were not significantly altered post-surgically. None of the patients had antibodies of the IgM isotype. Our findings vary from those of Ruther et al. who demonstrated evidence of EBV in tissues from 7 of 11 (64%) German CD patients. Antibodies to early EBV viral antigen and to nuclear antigen in five of seven Belgian patients suggest persistent active viral infection.
authors: Department of Pathobiology and Veterinary Science, University of Connecticut, Storrs, Connecticut 06269-3089, USA. herbert.vankruiningen@uconn.edu
authors: Herbert J
authors: HJ
authors: Van Kruiningen
authors: Michelle
authors: M
authors: Poulin
authors: Antonio E
authors: AE
authors: Garmendia
authors: Pierre
authors: P
authors: Desreumaux
authors: Jean-Frédéric
authors: JF
authors: Colombel
authors: Gert
authors: G
authors: De Hertogh
authors: Karel
authors: K
authors: Geboes
authors: Severine
authors: S
authors: Vermeire
authors: Gregory J
authors: GJ
authors: Tsongalis
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000956:Antigens, Viral / Q000032:analysis; D036022:Capsid Proteins / Q000032:analysis; D003424:Crohn Disease / Q000821:virology*; D019309:Epstein-Barr Virus Nuclear Antigens / Q000032:analysis; D005260:Female; D004854:Herpesvirus 4, Human / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction
chemical_list: D000956:Antigens, Viral; D036022:Capsid Proteins; D019309:Epstein-Barr Virus Nuclear Antigens; C041788:Epstein-Barr viral capsid antigen; C033305:Epstein-Barr virus early antigen