Reactivation of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) in early human immunodeficiency virus (
HIV) infection was investigated in 49 homosexual men who seroconverted to HIV (cases) as compared with 49 matched controls who remained seronegative to HIV during a longitudinal study.
EBV infection was reactivated in cases 6 months, but not 12 months, prior to
HIV seroconversion as compared with controls and remained reactivated during 18 months of follow-up after
HIV seroconversion, as shown by increases in
immunoglobulin (Ig) G antibody titers to EBV early
antigen. Antibody titers to EBV viral capsid
antigen did not differ between cases and controls prior to the time of seroconversion to HIV but were significantly increased among cases by the first seropositive study visit and remained elevated during the 18 months after
HIV seroconversion. Total serum
IgG levels were increased in cases at the visit of seroconversion, and during 18 months of follow-up, but did not correlate with enhanced
IgG production specific for EBV
antigens. Significant decreases in numbers of CD4+ cells and increases in numbers of CD8+ cells during this early phase of
HIV infection were not associated with changes in patterns of EBV antibody responses. Reactivation of EBV beginning 6 months before
HIV seroconversion may have implications regarding the role of this herpesvirus in the pathogenesis of HIV.