Molecular detection of human retrovirus [HRV-5] in common rheumatic disorders

ABSTRACT

HRV-5 has been implicated in the pathogenesis of a number of autoimmune diseases. This study aimed at assessing the role of HRV-5 in the pathogenesis of systemic lupus erythematosus [SLE], rheumatoid arthritis [RA] and osteoarthritis [OA]. The study was conducted on 25 female SLE patients with mean age of 35.8 +/- 7.4 years and 25 female RA patients with mean age of 48 +/- 13.4 years, as well as, 25 female OA patients with mean age of 51 +/- 14.5 years, in addition to 25 age-matched apparently healthy female controls. All participants were subjected to detailed clinical assessment and laboratory investigations. HRV-5 proviral DNA was detected with nested polymerase chain reaction [PCR] and positive results were confirmed with DNA sequencing. The frequency of detection of HRV-5 proviral DNA was 8%, 12% and 4% in our RA, SLE and OA patients, respectively. Sequence analysis of the amplified viral segment showed genetic variation between samples with maintenance of the open reading frame, typical of a replicating infectious retrovirus. Our results support the hypothesis that HRV-5 may play a role in the etiopathogenesis of both SLE and RA, but further investigations are needed to confirm its role