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Patients with Sjögren’s syndrome may be susceptible to Epstein-Barr virus reactivation

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Reactivation of the Epstein-Barr virus may be common in patients with Sjögren’s syndrome and may be involved in the progression of gland dysfunction or damage, according to researchers in Warsaw, Poland.

Three groups of patients with primary Sjögren’s syndrome (SS) were evaluated, including 58 patients with an established diagnosis (mean age 52 years, 84% women), 36 patients with dryness of the eyes or mouth (mean age 55 years, 94% women) and 20 healthy volunteers (mean age 45 years, 75% women). Laboratory values obtained included immunoglobulin (Ig) M and IgG antibodies to the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) for the detection of past or current infection or reactivation of EBV. Other laboratory tests included detection of the presence of antibodies related to SS, antinuclear antibodies and rheumatoid factor (RF). Patients underwent Schirmer tests and corneal staining with fluorescein and lissamine green to measure dryness. Salivary ultrasound was performed in 88% of patients.

Reactivation of EBV was identified in 76% of the patients, with markers of past infection present in 19% of the patients, while reactivation of EBV was detected in 40% of healthy volunteers. Exposure to EBV was detected in all of the patients with dryness but without a diagnosis of SS, and 83% tested positive for reactivation of EBV.

No significant differences in SS antibodies, RF status or ocular test results were observed between patients with primary SS and reactivation of EBV and patients with a past infection. Patients with established SS were more likely to present parenchymal heterogeneity compared to patients with dryness without SS (73% vs. 23%). No differences were observed among patients with EBV infection or reactivation on salivary ultrasound. – by Shirley Pulawski

Reference:

Maslinska M and Zuk-Wasek A. Paper #2792. Presented at: American College of Rheumatology Annual Meeting; Nov. 7-11, 2015; San Francisco.

Disclosure: The researchers report no relevant financial disclosures.