Immunosuppression for inflammatory bowel disease does not influence Epstein-Barr viral load in the short-term

Abstract

Introduction: Immunomodulators and biologics are two of the main drugs used for the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Some of these agents have been associated with certain infections and lymphoproliferative disorders, including Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection. Our aim was to determine the influence of immunosuppression in the EBV viral load in patients with IBD.

Materials and methods: We prospectively included naïve patients with IBD who were starting immunosuppressive therapy in four IBD Units. All patients were assessed at baseline and four months after starting immunosuppression for clinical disease activity, biomarkers, EBV serology (IgM VCA, IgG VCA and IgG EBNA) and viral load.

Results: Thirty-two patients were included. At baseline, all patients showed positive results for IgG VCA or IgG EBNA with undetectable EBV viral load. No patient showed detectable EBV viral load after starting the immunosuppressive therapy.

Conclusion: Immunosuppression did not influence on EBV viral load in the short-term in naïve IBD patients.

Keywords: Enfermedad inflamatoria intestinal; Epstein–Barr virus; Immunosuppression; Inflammatory bowel disease; Inmunosupresión; Virus de Epstein-Barr.