Lack of evidence for Epstein-Barr virus infection in myasthenia gravis thymus

Ann Neurol. 2011 Sep;70(3):515-8. doi: 10.1002/ana.22522.

Abstract

A role for Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) in myasthenia gravis pathogenesis has been suggested recently. Using in situ hybridization for the detection of the EBV-encoded RNAs and EBNA1-specific immunohistochemistry, we found no latently infected cells in a series of thymus specimens from patients with myasthenia gravis showing lymphofollicular thymitis. In addition, using immunohistochemistry and an antibody specific for the viral immediate early protein BZLF1, no evidence of lytic EBV infection was seen in these cases. Our results therefore do not support a direct role of thymic EBV infection in the pathogenesis of myasthenia gravis.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal
  • Carrier Proteins / analysis
  • Epstein-Barr Virus Infections / complications
  • Epstein-Barr Virus Infections / pathology*
  • Epstein-Barr Virus Infections / virology
  • Female
  • Hashimoto Disease / pathology
  • Herpesvirus 4, Human / immunology
  • Humans
  • Immunohistochemistry
  • In Situ Hybridization
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Myasthenia Gravis / etiology
  • Myasthenia Gravis / pathology*
  • Myasthenia Gravis / virology
  • RNA, Viral / analysis
  • RNA-Binding Proteins
  • Thymus Gland / pathology*
  • Thymus Gland / virology
  • Thyroid Gland / pathology
  • Tissue Fixation
  • Trans-Activators / analysis
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Antibodies, Monoclonal
  • BZLF1 protein, Herpesvirus 4, Human
  • Carrier Proteins
  • EBNA1BP2 protein, human
  • RNA, Viral
  • RNA-Binding Proteins
  • Trans-Activators