Status of antiviral immunity in patients with non-alcoholic liver fatty disease, who were Chornobyl NPP accident liquidators

Abstract

34 men were examined, who after participating in the liquidation of the Chornobyl NPP accident developed non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. The state of antiviral defense was evaluated by the levels of immunoglobulin (Ig) G and IgM antibodies in the blood serum. In most patients with non-alcoholic steatohepatitis, who were Chornobyl NPP accident liquidators, antibodies of the IgG, but not IgM class to the persistent mixed infection with herpes simplex virus types 1 and 2, cytomegaly and Epstein-Barr were found. A positive correlation was established between the antibody titers to the herpes simplex virus types 1 and 2 (anti-HSV-1/2 IgG) and cytomegalovirus (anti-CMV IgG) (rs = 0.383, p = 0.040), as well as between the antibodies titers to the nuclear antigen of Epstein-Barr virus (anti-EBV NA IgG) and antibodies to core antigen of Epstein-Barr (anti-EBV VCA IgG) (rs = 0.584, p = 0.002) in patients with persistent mixed infection of these herpesviruses.

Keywords

• Herpesviridae family viruses
• non-alcoholic fatty liver disease
• Chornobyl NPP accident liquidators