The differential impact of training stress and final examination stress onherpesvirus latency at the United States Military Academy at West Point

In this study, we searched for evidence for reactivation of three latent he rpesviruses, Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), herpes simplex virus type-1 (HSV-1), and human herpesvirus 6 (HHV-6), in West Point cadets experiencing two dif ferent stressors. Blood samples were obtained from cadets before and after a 6-week training period known as "Cadet Basic Training" (CBT), at a baseli ne prior to final examinations, and then once again during the week of fina l examinations. Antibody titers to latent HSV-1, EBV, and HHV-6 were determ ined as a measure of the steady-state expression of latent virus. EBV virus capsid antigen (VCA) IgG antibody titers were unchanged in blood samples o btained prior to and immediately after CBT. However, EBV antibody titers we re significantly higher in the blood sample obtained during examination wee k than in the baseline period before examination; they were also higher tha n antibody titers before/after CBT. None of the serum samples were positive for EBV VCA IgM antibodies, indicating that the changes in antibody titers to EBV were not associated with recent EBV infections in the class. No sig nificant changes in antibody titers to HSV-1 or HSV-6 were found over the i dentical time periods, including examination week. Academic stress but not CBT modulated the steady-state expression of latent EBV, resulting in the r eactivation of latent virus. The same stressors, however, did not affect th e steady-state expression of latent HSV-1 or HSV-6, at least as measured by changes in antibody titers. The data provide additional evidence of the im pact of different psychological stressors on the steady-state expression of latent herpesviruses. (C) 1999 Academic Press.