Prevalence of Epstein-Barr virus in Sjogren's syndrome in Tunisia

Purpose. - The cause of Sjogren's syndrome is unclear. Several studies suggested the role of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) in the pathogenesis of this syndrome, but this always remains a subject of numerous controversies. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of EBV in Sjogren's syndrome in Tunisia. Methods. - A series of 31 paraffin-embedded biopsies of salivary glands from patients with Sjogren's syndrome were studied in comparison with 19 control glands. EBV was investigated by PCR, EBERs in situ hybridization and by immunohistochemistry for the detection of LMP1, EBNA2 and ZEBRA. Results. - EBV DNA was detected by PCR in 3 of 22 PCR beta-globin positive Sjogren's syndrome cases (13.6%) and in 2 of 17 PCR beta-globin positive control glands (11.7%); in situ hybridization positivity was noted in rare lymphocytes in the 3 EBV positive cases of Sjogren's syndrome, but not in control glands; immunohistochemical study was negative in all cases. Conclusion. - EBV infection does not appear to play a significant role in the pathogenesis of Sjogren's syndrome in Tunisia. (C) 2006 Publie par Elsevier SAS.