Effect of primary Epstein-Barr virus infection on human herpesvirus 6, cytomegalovirus, and measles virus immunoglobulin G titers

J Clin Microbiol. 1990 Feb;28(2):211-5. doi: 10.1128/jcm.28.2.211-215.1990.

Abstract

Immunoglobulin G antibody titers to human herpesvirus 6 (HHV-6), measles virus, and cytomegalovirus (CMV) were examined in serum samples from 31 patients with Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-induced infectious mononucleosis (IM). Sera were drawn sequentially from the same patients less than or equal to 7 days until 3 years after onset of IM. In seropositive patients, there was a significant decrease with time after IM of the immunoglobulin G titers to the three viruses in the majority of patients; HHV-6 IgG titers decreased in 80%, measles virus IgG titers decreased in 75%, and CMV IgG titers decreased in 67%. Four patients contracted CMV infection during the observation period after IM. In these, HHV-6 IgG titers increased, while EBV and measles virus IgG titers remained essentially stationary. Polyclonal B-cell stimulation during IM is suggested to augment antiviral titers in general, but the increases of HHV-6 IgG titers during EBV and CMV infections may also be due to selective stimulation of memory B cells by related antigens or to reactivation of HHV-6 during infection with these herpesviruses.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Antibodies, Viral / metabolism*
  • Cytomegalovirus / immunology
  • Female
  • Herpesvirus 4, Human / immunology
  • Herpesvirus 6, Human / immunology
  • Humans
  • Immunoglobulin G / metabolism
  • Infectious Mononucleosis / immunology*
  • Male
  • Measles virus / immunology
  • Time Factors

Substances

  • Antibodies, Viral
  • Immunoglobulin G