Epstein-Barr Reactivation in Lupus Staff | January 28, 2021 Review our article: "What’s the Role of Epstein-Barr Virus Reactivation in Lupus Development?" The Rheumatologist, November 2020. A strong association between Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infections and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) has been known since the 1970s. EBV is a nearly ubiquitous virus that infects the majority of the world’s population. Following exposure to the virus, it remains in a person’s system, usually dormant except for occasional reactivation of the lytic cycle of viral reproduction. One study posits that reactivation of EBV could be used to identify patients who require closer scrutiny for the development of SLE. Dr. James’ study found that baseline viral capsid antigen and early antigen immunoglobulin levels _______ in those SLE patients’ family members who later transitioned to SLE than in those who did not transition, and in healthy controls. A. are higher B. are lower C. are the same D. have no bearing None Time's up
