Detecting Epstein-Barr virus DNA from peripheral blood mononuclear cells in adult patients with systemic lupus erythematosus in Taiwan

Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) has been found by many serology studies to be associated with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). However, the results of DNA studies have been conflicting. Therefore, instead of antibody to EBV, we studied the association between EBV DNA and SLE. In this case-control study in Taiwan, we enrolled 87 SLE patients and 174 age- and sex-matched controls. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells of SLE patients and matched controls were tested for EBV DNA by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and Southern blot. Of the 87 SLE patients, 71 (81.6%) were found to be positive for EBV DNA, while 85 (48.9%) of the 174 controls (odds ratio 4.64, 95% confidence interval 2.50–8.62, P<0.0001) were positive. While the EBV DNA-positive rate did not decline with age in SLE patients (P>0.05), it did decline with age in controls (P<0.05). Furthermore, based on a real-time quantitative PCR study, we have found a significant difference between EBV viral load in SLE and controls (P=0.008). Therefore, in our molecular study of DNA level, we found evidence for the association of EBV infection and SLE, suggesting that EBV contributes, if not to the development of SLE, then to disease perpetuation.