Abstract: Objective To study the relationship between the expression of EBV lytic genes and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).Methods The blood samples from 44 SLE patients and 43 matched normal controls were tested for BamHⅠ-W,the specific DNA fragment of EBV,by polymerase chain reaction(PCR)-Southern analysis.RT-PCR and Southern blotting were used to detect the EBV lytic genes (including immediate early genes BZLF1 and BRLF1,early genes BARF1,late genes BcLF1 and BLLF1) in EBV DNA-positive SLE patients.Results The EBV DNA was positive in 32 SLE patients and 3 controls.There was significant difference between the SLE patients and controls in the EBV DNA expression (χ²=39.18,P<0.01),while no difference was observed between patients with active SLE and those with inactive SLE (q=0.40,P>0.05).In the EBV DNA-positive SLE patients,2 (both with active SLE) were positive for BARF1 mRNA;14 (11 with active SLE and 3 with inactive SLE) were positive for BcLF1 mRNA;none was positive for BZLF1,BRLF1 or BLLF1 mRNA.No lytic genes were expressed in any of the 3 EBV DNA-positive controls.Conclusion EBV infection may be related to the development of SLE.EBV lytic infection exists in some SLE patients.EBV is at a low level of lytic activity in patients with SLE.

Key words: Lupus erythematosus,systemic, Herpesvirus 4,human, Genes,viral