Increased serum levels of antibodies to Epstein-Barr virus in adults with history of atopic dermatitis.

Serum antibodies to Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), varicella-zoster (VZV) and herpes simplex virus (HSV) were determined in 140 patients with active or healed atopic dermatitis (AD) and 48 control individuals. Antibody titers against EBV were significantly higher in AD patients than in the controls irrespective of whether the AD was active or healed at the time of blood sampling. No difference in EBV antibody titers were observed between AD patients with asthma and/or hay fever and those without such additional atopic manifestations. There was no correlation between EBV antibody titers and serum IgE levels. The frequency of seropositivity and the magnitude of antibody titers against VZV and HSV in AD patients were not significantly different from the controls. Increase in EBV antibody titers may reflect basic immunoregulatory disturbances in AD but it is also possible that EBV may play a role in the pathogenesis of atopic disease.