Reactivation of Epstein-Barr virus during early infection with human immunodeficiency virus

Abstract

Reactivation of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) in early human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection was investigated in 49 homosexual men who seroconverted to HIV (cases) as compared with 49 matched controls who remained seronegative to HIV during a longitudinal study. EBV infection was reactivated in cases 6 months, but not 12 months, prior to HIV seroconversion as compared with controls and remained reactivated during 18 months of follow-up after HIV seroconversion, as shown by increases in immunoglobulin (Ig) G antibody titers to EBV early antigen. Antibody titers to EBV viral capsid antigen did not differ between cases and controls prior to the time of seroconversion to HIV but were significantly increased among cases by the first seropositive study visit and remained elevated during the 18 months after HIV seroconversion. Total serum IgG levels were increased in cases at the visit of seroconversion, and during 18 months of follow-up, but did not correlate with enhanced IgG production specific for EBV antigens. Significant decreases in numbers of CD4+ cells and increases in numbers of CD8+ cells during this early phase of HIV infection were not associated with changes in patterns of EBV antibody responses. Reactivation of EBV beginning 6 months before HIV seroconversion may have implications regarding the role of this herpesvirus in the pathogenesis of HIV.

Epstein-Barr virus, cytomegalovirus, and multiple sclerosis susceptibility

“…Factors that induce suppression of cell-mediated immune function, such as elevated stress hormones, [51] post-transplantation immunosuppression, [52] and acquired immunodeficiency, e.g. due to HIV infection, [53] may allow opportunistic reactivation of latent EBV infection. This can be manifested by increased production of anti-EA and anti-VCA IgG [51] or by the development of EBV-infected B cell proliferation and tumour development.…”

HIV, EBV and KSHV: Viral cooperation in the pathogenesis of human malignancies

“…A decrease in the number of T CD þ 4 lymphocytes early in HIV infection was reported to have an important impact in the control of EBV latency and viral reactivation [96]. Overall, EBV reactivation is inversely related to the T CD þ 8 activity against EBV, so that a progressive impairment in intensity and extensiveness of EBV-directed immune response is observed throughout the natural history of HIV-1 infection [97].…”

Circulating Epstein–Barr virus (EBV) in HIV-infected patients and its relation with primary brain lymphoma

“…[13][14][15] The EBV load has been much less studied in the HIVinfected group than in transplant individuals. As in transplant patients, frequent reactivation of EBV infection has been observed in HIV-infected individuals, reflected by increased EBV-specific antibody titers, [16][17][18] and more recently, high numbers of circulating copies of EBV. 19,20 However, controversy persists regarding the usefulness of measuring EBV levels in AIDS patients in relation to lymphoma risk, diagnosis, and management.…”