The haptoglobin phenotype is associated with the Epstein-Barr virus antibody titer.
BACKGROUND
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.


METHODS
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.


RESULTS
The Hp 1-1 phenotype was associated with a lower EBV antibody titer (p=0.0005).


CONCLUSIONS
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.
Speeckaert
Reinhart
R
Department of Clinical Chemistry, Ghent University Hospital, Gent, Belgium.
Speeckaert
Marijn M
MM
Padalko
Elizaveta
E
Claeys
Lutgarde R
LR
Delanghe
Joris R
JR
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000914:Antibodies, Viral / Q000097:blood*; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000032:analysis; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D015331:Cohort Studies; D020031:Epstein-Barr Virus Infections / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000276:immunology; D005260:Female; D005787:Gene Frequency; D006242:Haptoglobins / Q000032:analysis / Q000235:genetics*; D004854:Herpesvirus 4, Human / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000097:blood; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010641:Phenotype; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic; D051918:Sialic Acid Binding Ig-like Lectin 2 / Q000378:metabolism
D000914:Antibodies, Viral; C497867:CD22 protein, human; D006242:Haptoglobins; D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D051918:Sialic Acid Binding Ig-like Lectin 2; D002097:C-Reactive Protein