High levels of Epstein–Barr virus in COPD

Abstract

Latent viral infection has been implicated in the pathophysiology of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is known to be important in pulmonary fibrosis. The current authors hypothesised that EBV is associated with the pathogenesis of COPD.Sputum samples were collected from patients both during exacerbations of COPD and when stable. A control group of smokers who did not have airways obstruction also had their sputum examined. The presence of EBV DNA was established and quantified using a real-time nucleic acid amplification assay.A total of 136 patients with COPD were recruited during an acute exacerbation and a total of 68 when stable. EBV was detected in 65 (48%) exacerbation cases and 31 (46%) stable patients. In the comparison group of 16 nonobstructed smokers, EBV was demonstrated in only one (6%) case. Risk of COPD in patients with EBV and who are smokers confers an odds ratio of 12.6.Epstein-Barr virus DNA is more frequently identified in the respiratory tract of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients in comparison with unaffected smokers. It is present both during exacerbation and when stable, suggesting that infection is persistent. Smokers who do not develop chronic obstructive pulmonary disease rarely have Epstein-Barr virus in their sputum. This finding may be of importance in the pathogenesis of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

A systematic review of the role of vitamin insufficiencies and supplementation in COPD

“…In one large cross sectional study with 18.883 participants, this association was stronger in COPD patients [33] (Table 1). Ebstein Barr virus infection, which is often found in COPD patients, is also associated with low levels of vitamin D [98,99]. Liou et al reported a relation between Toll-like receptors, external triggers and vitamin D-mediated innate immunity, and suggested that differences in the ability of human populations to produce vitamin D may contribute to susceptibility to microbial infections [100].…”

The relevance of respiratory viral infections in the exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease—A systematic review

“…Some articles referred to other papers for methodological information and in these cases the index reference was studied. A few articles used the same population for detection of different viruses and it was assumed that data from the first published articles could be extrapolated to the latest published article [9][10][11].…”

Innate immunity to influenza in chronic airways diseases

“…Respiratory viral infection accounts for approximately 40–60% of all acute exacerbation of COPD and up to 80% of asthma exacerbations, 5,118 and influenza virus is one of the infectious viruses commonly detected during acute exacerbation 11,12 . Influenza infection accounts for approximately 16–25% of all virus‐induced acute COPD exacerbation 7,119,120 .…”