Tuyển tập các báo cáo nghiên cứu về y học được đăng trên tạp chí y học General Psychiatry cung cấp cho các bạn kiến thức về ngành y đề tài: Epstein–Barr virus and rheumatoid arthritis: is there a link? | Available online http content 8 1 204 Review Epstein-Barr virus and rheumatoid arthritis is there a link Karen H Costenbader and Elizabeth W Karlson Brigham and Women s Hospital Division of Rheumatology Immunology and Allergy Department of Medicine Harvard Medical School 75 Francis Street Boston MA 02115 USA Corresponding author Karen H Costenbader kcostenbader@ Published 16 January 2006 This article is online at http content 8 1 204 2006 BioMed Central Ltd Arthritis Research Therapy 2006 8 204 doi ar1893 Abstract Rheumatoid arthritis is a systemic autoimmune disease characterized by chronic destructive debilitating arthritis. Its etiology is unknown it is presumed that environmental factors trigger development in the genetically predisposed. Epstein-Barr virus a nearly ubiquitous virus in the human population has generated great interest as a potential trigger. This virus stimulates polyclonal lymphocyte expansion and persists within B lymphocytes for the host s life inhibited from reactivating by the immune response. In latent and replicating forms it has immunomodulating actions that could play a role in the development of this autoimmune disease. The evidence linking Epstein-Barr virus and rheumatoid arthritis is reviewed. Introduction Rheumatoid arthritis RA is a chronic inflammatory polyarthritis that progressively destroys synovial joints and can cause systemic complications. RA affects about 1 of the world s population 1 and its prevalence in women is twofold to fourfold that in men 2 3 . RA has enormous personal social and economic impact 4 5 women with RA have overall mortality rates those in age-matched controls 6 . New biologic therapies based on an increasing understanding of the molecular mechanisms involved in RA afford a more normal life to many but the burden of disease remains high. At present there is no known cure. Despite improved therapy the long-term prognosis remains
