Study on the relationship between the infection of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) and the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis (RA).
The IgA and IgG antibodies against EBV capsid antigen (IgA/VCA and IgG/VCA respectively), and anti-Z protein IgG antibodies (IgG/Z) in the sera from the patients with RA, systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), and normal controls were detected by using indirect immunofluoresence and immunobloting techniques.
The positive rate of IgA/VCA antibody in the serum of RA patients which was significantly higher than that in SLE patients and normal subjects. The anti IgG/Z antibodies were only found in RA patients with IgA/VCA antibody.
The results suggested that activated EB virus may play a role in the pathogenesis of RA. It is a useful laboratory method for the clinical diagnosis of RA.