Abstract
Serological patterns against Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) and Cytomegalovirus (CMV) were determined in patients with genital condylomata (GC).
The Ig G antibody values to EB-induced virus capsidic antigens (VCA), early antigens (EA) and Ig M to VCA were significantly higher in the study group than in the controls. Moreover, the concomitant presence of EBV-Ig G anti-VCA ≧ 1/320, EBV-Ig G anti-EA ≧ 1/20 and EBV-Ig M anti VCA ? 1/20 was observed in 13 serum samples of genital condylomata patients, while, in only 2 serum samples of the healthy controls, the same serological pattern was present.
The distribution of antibody values to CMV-induced LA, EA and IEA showed a significantly increased prevalence in the study group in comparison with the controls: the concomitant presence of antibody with a titre ≧ 1/320 for CMV-LA, ≧ 1/20 for CMV-EA and ≧ 1/20 for CMV-IEA was observed in I5 serum samples of GC patients and in only 3 serum samples of the control group.
Our results suggest that the active or recent EBV and CMV infections we observed in genital condylomata patients may be a consequence of impaired immunity in these patients, but it does not exclude a possible role of EBV and CMV in perpetuating human papilloma virus-induced cell proliferation.
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Zerbini, M., Musiani, M., Gentilomi, G. et al. Immunological status to Epstein-Barr virus and cytomegalovirus in patients with genital condylomata. Eur J Epidemiol 5, 343–347 (1989). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00144835
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00144835