title: Prevalence and titre of antibodies to cytomegalovirus and epstein-barr virus in patients with autism spectrum disorder.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The etiology of autism spectrum disorders (ASD) is currently unknown. Few studies have explored the role of Cytomegalovirus (CMV) and Epstein Barr Virus (EBV) as potential etiological factors of ASD. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the seropositivity rate and antibody titre to CMV and EBV in children with ASD compared to same-aged healthy controls.
  
  
  METHODS
  We compared the seropositivity rate and titre of antibodies to CMV and EBV in 54 children with ASD (19 with autistic disorder and 35 with non-autistic disorder ASD) and in 46 controls.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Seropositivity rate and titre of the two antibodies were not dissimilar between cases and controls. However, considering only patients with ASD, those seropositive for CMV tended to test worse to the major severity scales than the seronegative ones.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Titre and seropositivity rate of antibodies to CMV and EBV are similar between children with ASD and healthy controls.
authors: Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery-Section of Infectious Diseases, "Federico II" University of Naples, Naples, Italy ivan.gentile@unina.it.
authors: Ivan
authors: I
authors: Gentile
authors: Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery-Section of Infectious Diseases, "Federico II" University of Naples, Naples, Italy.
authors: Emanuela
authors: E
authors: Zappulo
authors: Department of Medical Translational Science, "Federico II" University of Naples, Naples, Italy.
authors: Raffaele
authors: R
authors: Bonavolta
authors: Mental Health and Public Medicine, Second University of Naples, Naples, Italy.
authors: Roberta
authors: R
authors: Maresca
authors: Mental Health and Public Medicine, Second University of Naples, Naples, Italy.
authors: Tullio
authors: T
authors: Messana
authors: Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery-Section of Infectious Diseases, "Federico II" University of Naples, Naples, Italy.
authors: Antonio Riccardo
authors: AR
authors: Buonomo
authors: Department of Medical Translational Science, "Federico II" University of Naples, Naples, Italy.
authors: Giuseppe
authors: G
authors: Portella
authors: Department of Medical Translational Science, "Federico II" University of Naples, Naples, Italy.
authors: Rosanna
authors: R
authors: Sorrentino
authors: Department of Medical Translational Science, "Federico II" University of Naples, Naples, Italy.
authors: Alessandro
authors: A
authors: Settimi
authors: Mental Health and Public Medicine, Second University of Naples, Naples, Italy.
authors: Antonio
authors: A
authors: Pascotto
authors: Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery-Section of Infectious Diseases, "Federico II" University of Naples, Naples, Italy.
authors: Guglielmo
authors: G
authors: Borgia
authors: Department of Medical Translational Science, "Federico II" University of Naples, Naples, Italy.
authors: Carmela
authors: C
authors: Bravaccio
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000914:Antibodies, Viral / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002648:Child; D002659:Child Development Disorders, Pervasive / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000276:immunology* / Q000821:virology; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003587:Cytomegalovirus / Q000276:immunology*; D003586:Cytomegalovirus Infections / Q000276:immunology*; D020031:Epstein-Barr Virus Infections / Q000276:immunology*; D005260:Female; D004854:Herpesvirus 4, Human / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology; D007558:Italy / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D015995:Prevalence; D016036:Seroepidemiologic Studies
chemical_list: D000914:Antibodies, Viral; D007074:Immunoglobulin G
keywords: Autism spectrum disorder; CMV; EBV; antibody titre