[The regulation of B-lymphocyte activity by the Epstein-Barr virus in ankylosing spondylarthritis]

Former studies of the authors have indicated a deficit of the suppressor function of the T-lymphocytes on the activity of the B-lymphocytes by the Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV) in systemic autoimmune diseases: in 60% of the patients with rheumatoid arthritis, 50% of the patients with systemic sclerosis and 80% of the patients with systemic lupus erythematodes. Deficit of the specific cytotoxic function of the EBV in ankylosing spondylarthritis has been described. A study was carried out on 13 patients with ankylosing spondylarthritis and 13 healthy controls. All were immunized with EBV. Cultures were made experimentally. The secretion of IgM and IgG in the supernatant of the cultures was tested by ELISA. The T-suppression function of the specific T-lymphocytes of the EBV is not decreased in ankylosing spondylarthritis.