Molecular Detection of Human Retrovirus (HRV-5)‎ in Common Rheumatic Disorders

Abstract EN

Objective : HRV-5 has been implicated in the pathogenesis of a number of autoimmune diseases.

This study aimed at assessing the role of HRV-5 in the pathogenesis of systemic lupus erythematous (SLE), rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and osteoarthritis (OA).

Methodology : the study was conducted on 25 female SLE patients with mean age of 35.8 ± 7.4 years and 25 female RA patients with mean age of 48 ± 13.4 years, as well as, 25 female OA patients with mean age of 51 ± 14.5 years, in addition to 25 age-matched apparently healthy female controls.

All participants were subjected to detailed clinical assessment and laboratory investigations.

HRV-5 prodigal DNA was detected with nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and positive results were confirmed with DNA sequencing.

Results : the frequency of detection of HRV-5 prodigal DNA was 8%, 12 % and 4 % in our RA, SLE and OA patients, respectively.

Sequence analysis of the amplified viral segment showed genetic variation between samples with maintenance of the open reading frame, typical of a replicating infectious retrovirus.

Conclusion : our results support the hypothesis that HRV-5 may play a role in the etiopathogenesis of both SLE and RA, but further investigations are needed to confirm its role.