Absence of Epstein-Barr virus carrying cells in synovial membranes and subcutaneous nodules of patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

Brousset, P; Caulier, M; Cantagrel, A; Dromer, C; Mazières, B; Delsol, G · Ann Rheum Dis · 1993

case_series · Level IV

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Abstract

To determine whether the Epstein-Barr virus is present in synovial membranes and subcutaneous nodules of patients with rheumatoid arthritis. A sensitive in situ hybridisation technique was applied to tissue sections of 11 synovial membranes and five rheumatoid nodules. Cells carrying the Epstein-Barr virus were not detected using EBER and BHLF1 oligonucleotides in the tissue samples investigated here. Although it has been suggested that the Epstein-Barr virus could play a part in the aetiology of rheumatoid arthritis, it was not detected in synovial membranes and subcutaneous lesions in this study.

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