Role of Anti-EBNA-1 Antibodies in Psoriasis: A Seroprevalence Study

Niki Ntavari; Eleni Patrikiou; Athanasios Gkoutzourelas; Christos Liaskos; Dimitrios P. Bogdanos; Efterpi Zafiriou

doi:10.53941/jmai.2026.100005

Abstract

Environmental triggers, particularly viral infections such as Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), may significantly contribute to the induction or exacerbation of psoriasis (Ps). EBV persists lifelong and is linked to several autoimmune diseases. Nuclear antigen 1 (EBNA-1) helps maintain latency and is a key immune target. Objective: This study aimed to investigate the potential association between EBV infection, specifically the humoral immune response to EBNA-1, and psoriasis by comparing seroprevalence and antibody levels in psoriatic patients versus healthy controls. Methods: A case-control study was conducted involving 23 patients with psoriasis (Ps) and 22 healthy controls (HC). Serum samples were analyzed for the presence of anti-EBNA-1 IgG antibodies using a standard enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Seropositivity rates were compared using Fisher’s Exact Test, and quantitative antibody levels, expressed as mean ± standard deviation, were compared using an appropriate parametric test. Results: A significantly higher proportion of psoriatic patients were seropositive for anti-EBNA-1 antibodies than healthy controls (95.7% vs. 59.1%, p = 0.004). However, among seropositive individuals, the mean quantitative antibody levels did not differ significantly between the two groups (Ps: 63 ± 25.7 vs. HC: 75.6 ± 31.6, p = ns). Conclusion: Anti-EBNA-1 EBV antibodies are more prevalent in psoriasis compared to healthy controls, and further research is warranted to elucidate the mechanistic role of that viral antigen as a potential contributor to disease-related immune inflammation.

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