How is Epstein-Barr virus associated with systemic lupus erythematosus?

Created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.

Individuals infected with the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) appear to have an increased risk of developing systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).1

While the exact cause of SLE remains unknown, it is characterized by a breakdown in the immune system, leading to the production of autoantibodies that attack the body's own tissues. Evidence suggests that viruses, such as EBV, may act as environmental triggers that provide the antigenic stimulation responsible for the development of these damaging autoantibodies in individuals who already possess a genetic predisposition to the disease.12

In the context of pathology, this interaction highlights how external infectious agents can potentially initiate or exacerbate the autoimmune processes that define connective tissue diseases like lupus.12