Author/Authors :
Kadisa, Anda Rîga Stradins University - Augusts Kirhensteins Institute of Microbiology and Virology - Department of Internal Diseases, LATVIA , Kadisa, Anda Rîga East Clinical University Hospital - Gailezers Clinic, LATVIA , Nora-Krûkle, Zaiga Rîga Stradins University - Augusts Kirhensteins Institute of Microbiology and Virology, LATVIA , Kozireva, Svetlana Rîga Stradins University - Augusts Kirhensteins Institute of Microbiology and Virology, LATVIA , Svirskis, Simons Rîga Stradins University - Augusts Kirhensteins Institute of Microbiology and Virology, LATVIA , Studers, Peteris Rîga Stradins University - Inter-Department Laboratory of Traumatology and Orthopaedics, LATVIA , Groma, Valerija Rîga Stradins University - Institute of Anatomy and Anthropology, LATVIA , Lejnieks, Aivars Rîga Stradins University - Department of Internal Diseases, LATVIA , Lejnieks, Aivars Rîga East Clinical University Hospital - Gailezers Clinic, LATVIA , Murovska, Modra Rîga Stradins University - Augusts Kirhensteins Institute of Microbiology and Virology, LATVIA
Abstract :
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic systemic autoimmune inflammatory disease affecting joints and causing symmetrical chronic progressive aseptic synovitis and erosive-destructive changes. Viruses and viral infections are considered to be the main risk factors for autoimmune disease development (especially for individuals with genetic predisposition). The goal of this study was to evaluate the frequency of HHV-6 and HHV-7 persistent infection and its activity phase in RA and osteoarthritis (OA) patients, and healthy persons. We examined also the influence of HHV-6 and -7 infections on RA activity, aggressiveness, radiographical stage, and frequency of complications as well as the presence of HHV-6 infection markers in synovial fluid and synovial tissues of RA joints of affected patients. Despite the lack of significant correlation between frequency of persistent single HHV-6, single HHV-7, and concurrent HHV-6 and HHV-7 infection and RA clinical course, we found that both active and latent HHV-6 and/or HHV-7 infection increased RA activity and progression in several clinical and laboratory parameters. Regarding the severity of the course of RA, we observed also a high prevalence of RA complications in the patient group with active single HHV-6 infection and also a more severe radiographical stage in RA patients with active concurrent HHV-6 and HHV-7 infection. Moreover, viral infection markers were found in synovial fluid and synovial tissues of affected joints of RA patients. This suggests that HHV-6 and/or HHV-7 infection has effect on the disease clinical course, but virus reactivation may be a consequence of immunosuppressive treatment.
Keywords :
rheumatoid arthritis , HHV , 6 , HHV , 7 , viral reactivation
