Positive correlation between latent Epstein-Barr virus infection and severity of illness in inflammatory bowel disease patients
Hongtao Wei, Xiaowei Xue, Qing Ling, Pengyan Wang, Weixun Zhou
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Emerging studies indicate the critical involvement of microorganisms, such as Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), in the pathogenesis of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Immunosuppressive therapies for IBD can reactivate latent EBV, complicating the clinical course of IBD. Moreover, the clinical significance of EBV expression in B lymphocytes derived from IBD patients' intestinal tissues has not been explored in detail. AIM: To explore the clinical significance of latent EBV infection in IBD patients. METHODS: = 10). Illness severity of IBD were assigned according to Crohn's disease activity index (ulcerative colitis) and Mayo staging system (Crohn's disease). The clinic-pathological data were analyzed between the two different latent EBV groups and also between the mild-to-moderate and severe disease groups. RESULTS: = 0.003) were significantly different between the mild-to-moderate and severe disease groups. CONCLUSION: IBD patients with latent EBV infection may manifest more severe illnesses. It is suggested that the role of EBV in IBD development should be further investigated, latent EBV infection in patients with serious IBD should be closely monitored, and therapeutic course should be optimized.