HHV-8 and hepatitis infections in pemphigus
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1
EL Manar University, La Rabta Hospital, Tunisia
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2
Habib Thameur Hospital, Tunisia
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3
Charles Nicolle Hospital, Tunisia
Background: Viral infection was widely associated with autoimmune diseases. In pemphigus, associations with human herpes virus 8 (HHV-8) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) were reported suggesting that these viruses may be involved in the pathogenesis of pemphigus. The aim of this study was to analyse the prevalence of HHV-8, HCV and HBV infections in pemphigus.
Methods: We enrolled 62 pemphigus foliaceus (PF), 52 pemphigus vulgaris (PV), 27 bullous pemphigoid (BP) patients and 50 controls. Anti-HHV-8 antibodies were tested by indirect immunofluorescence Kit. Serological markers of HBV infection and anti-HCV antibodies were analysed by ELISA kits.
Results: Anti-HHV-8 antibodies were observed in 12 (19%) PF, 16 (30%) PV, 12 (44%) BP patients and 18 controls (36%) with no significant difference. HCV infection was rare among patients with no significant difference with controls. High frequency of anti-HBc (41%) antibodies was observed in the PF group compared to controls (p=0.055). Inversely, a vaccinated statue was more prevalent in controls than in patients (p=0.053 and p=0,004 for PV and PF patients respectively).
Conclusion: In this case-control study we found that anti-HHV-8 and HCV infections are not associated with pemphigus. The high frequency of anti-HBc antibodies, as well as the protective effect of vaccination, suggest the involvement of HBV in pemphigus pathogenesis.
Acknowledgements
The study was supported by grants by from Tunis El Manar University, The Tunisian ministry of higher education and scientific research (UR99/08-74).
Keywords:
Pemphigus,
HHV-8,
Hepatitis B,
Hepatitis C,
Pemphigoid, Bullous
Conference:
15th International Congress of Immunology (ICI), Milan, Italy, 22 Aug - 27 Aug, 2013.
Presentation Type:
Abstract
Topic:
Immune-mediated disease pathogenesis
Citation:
MEJRI
K,
Kallel
M,
Zarra
I,
Laadhar
L,
Tombari
W,
Mokni
M,
Mokhtar
I,
Fezaa
B,
Zitouni
M and
Makni
S
(2013). HHV-8 and hepatitis infections in pemphigus.
Front. Immunol.
Conference Abstract:
15th International Congress of Immunology (ICI).
doi: 10.3389/conf.fimmu.2013.02.00310
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Received:
21 Mar 2013;
Published Online:
22 Aug 2013.
*
Correspondence:
Miss. Kaouthar MEJRI, EL Manar University, La Rabta Hospital, Tunis, 1007, Tunisia, mej_kaouthar@yahoo.fr