Review Article
Epstein-Barr Virus as a Trigger of Autoimmune Liver Diseases
Table 1
Evidence is support and against a role of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) in autoimmune liver disease (AiLD). Evidence in support of EBV in the pathogenesis of autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) is largely based around case reports noting the development of AIH following EBV infection. In contrast, studies on EBV and primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) have been based on the detection of EBV genetic material in PBC patients. As well, molecular mimicry between EBV and self-proteins has also been indicated, with mixed results. Although convincing, it should be noted that EBV is ubiquitous in a large percentage of the population, and thus cannot be causally linked. Evidence linking EBV with PSC is weak, based only on indirect evidence of the role of EBV in the pathogenesis of ulcerative colitis, which is present in many patients with primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC).
|