Background and aims: Many studies have focused on the role of pathogen infection in hypertension (HT). It has been postulated that increased vascular tonus in HT is basically related to the imbalance between vasodilator, such as nitric oxide (NO), and vasoconstrictor, such as endothelin-1 (ET-1), substances secreted by endothelium. The aim of the present study was to investigate the seroprevalence of human parvovirus B19 (HPV B19) in the etiology of essential HT and the effect of HPV B19 on ET-1 and NO levels in this disorder.
Materials and methods: A total of 135 participants were enrolled in the study (90 patient and 45 controls). Antibodies to HPV B19 and ET-1 were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay method. Nitric oxide levels were calculated according to the Griess reaction.
Results: Of the total participants, 27 patients (30%) and 7 control subjects (15.6%) had IgM positive (P = .068), whereas 27 patients (30%) and 14 control subjects (31.1%) had IgG positive (P = .895). There was no statistical difference between patients and control subjects in terms of serum ET-1 and NO levels.
Conclusions: The role of HPV B19 in the etiology of essential HT was not shown in the present study. A larger sample may be needed for the investigation of these relations.