ANTIBODIES TO CYTOMEGALOVIRUS IN OSTEOARTHRITIS

Background: Immunological agents may be implicated in the pathogenesis of arthritis. Viral DNA was detected in the synovial fluid in the initial stages of arthritis of varied aetiology. Cytomegalovirus DNA has been detected in the synovial fluid of patients with undifferentiated mono and oligo-arthritis. Studies suggest that osteoarthritis may not be only a wear and tear disease and raise numerous aetiological and pathogenic problems.Objectives: The aim was to investigate the prevalence of IgG and IgM antibodies to cytomegalovirus in patients with osteoarthritis.Methods: In the study were included 50 patients with osteoarthritis, 32 women and 18 men, aged 45-79 years and 50 healthy controls matched for age and sex. In patients and controls a complete clinical and laboratory evaluation was performed. In patients and controls IgG and IgM antibodies to cytomegalovirus were detected by ELISA.Results: In 42 of 50 patients with osteoarthritis IgG antibodies to cytomegalovirus were detected (84%). In 41 of the controls IgG antibodies to cytomegalovirus were observed (82%) (p>0.05, chi square test). In none of the patients with osteoarthritis and none of the controls were IgM antibodies to cytomegalovirus found. There was no difference in the clinical and radiographic findings of osteoarthritis in the patients with or without past cytomegalovirus infection.Conclusion: The prevalence of past infection with cytomegalovirus was similar in the patients with osteoarthritis and in the controls. There was no evidence of recent infection in any of the subjects. Cytomegalovirus infection does not appear to be implicated in the pathogenesis of osteoarthritis, despite the detection of viral genomic substance in the synovial fluid of patients with arthritis.Citation: , volume , supplement , year 2002, page Session: Osteoarthritis – Clinical aspects and treatment 2