抄録
Titers of Epstein-Barr (EB) virus-related antibodies were determined in sera from 62 patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and 53 healthy subjects to assess their structure and their clinical significance. Also investigated was the relationship between various types of rheumatoid factors (RF), and clinical markers and signs.
The mean VCA antibody titer was 1543 in RA cases against 605 in the control group. The proportion of RA patients who showed a positive reaction to EA antibody was 71%, as compared to 20% in the control group, suggesting a high rate of activation by EBV.
The mean EBNA antibody titer was 39 in RA and 118 in the control group, indicating an abnormal immune response to EBV in RA patients.
After comparing both groups in terms of the relationship between VCA antibody titer and EBNA antibody titer, the RA group was divided into two subgroups, i.e. those demonstrating an antibody titer distribution ratio similar to that observed in the control group, and the others demonstrating a different antibody titer distribution ratio. In the latter subgroup there was a correlation with lgMRF, suggesting intense B cell clonal activity. In this group, the erythrocyte sedimentation rates (ESR) and CRP scores were also higher, demonsrtrating the presence of active rheumatoid arthritis.
It is necessary to take both these different subgroups into consideration in the diagnosis of RA. The patients may be classified objectively into these subgroups by determining the titers of EBV related antibodies.
