Epstein-Barr virus specific salivary antibodies as related to stress caused by examinations

Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is prevalent in 90% of the population. After prima ry infection it remains in a latent state and the majority of the virus car riers are asymptomatic during their life. Among the immunocompromized patie nts such as organ and bone marrow transplant recipients, individuals lackin g T cell immunity, and patients treated with corticosteroid, cancer, and AI DS patients EBV primary infection and reactivation can cause life threateni ng diseases. Immunosupression may occur also during stressful events, which induce corticosteroid release and thus activate EBV. The effect of examina tion stress on EBV reactivation among female students was studied by detect ing the values of EBV specific IgG and IgA salivary antibodies. Sequential saliva samples were obtained from first year female students before, during , and after two important examinations. EBV specific IgG and IgA salivary a ntibodies were tested by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Hepatit is A virus (HAV) salivary antibodies served as a non-latent virus control. A statistically significant increase in the values of EBV specific IgG and IgA antibodies was detected in samples collected during the examinations, a s compared to the samples collected two months before and one month after t he exams (P < 0.05). HAV antibody levels did not change significantly betwe en the four time points. The menstrual cycle had no significant effect on t he results. No significant symptoms were reported during the whole study. T hese results indicate that among female students who endure stress during a cademic examinations, a significant increase in EBV specific IgG and IgA sa livary antibody values could be detected. EBV reactivation should be confir med by measuring salivary EBV DNA or infectious virus. (C) 2001 Wiley-Liss, Inc.