Tweet
Faggioli, R., Mazzoni, E., Borgna-Pignatti, C., Corallini, A., Turl?, G., Taronna, A. P., Fiumana, E., Martini, F. and Tognon, M. (2015), Serum antibodies from epileptic patients react, at high prevalence, with simian virus 40 mimotopes. European Journal of Neurology, 22: 789?e52. doi: 10.1111/ene.12652 Background and purpose
It has been demonstrated that inflammation may contribute to epileptogenesis and cause neuronal injury in epilepsy. In this study, the prevalence of antibodies to simian virus 40 (SV40), a kidney and neurotropic polyomavirus, was investigated in serum samples from 88 epileptic children/adolescents/young adults.
Methods
Serum antibodies reacting to specific SV40 peptides were analysed by indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Synthetic peptides corresponding to the epitopes of viral capsid proteins 1?3 were used as SV40 antigens.
Results
A significantly higher prevalence of antibodies against SV40 was detected in sera from epileptic patients compared to controls (41% vs. 19%). Specifically, the highest significant difference was revealed in the cohort of patients from 1.1 to 10 years old (54% vs. 21%), with a peak in the sub-cohort of 3.1?6 years old (65% vs. 18%).
Conclusion
Our immunological data suggest a strong association between epilepsy and the SV40 infection.
It has been demonstrated that inflammation may contribute to epileptogenesis and cause neuronal injury in epilepsy. In this study, the prevalence of antibodies to simian virus 40 (SV40), a kidney and neurotropic polyomavirus, was investigated in serum samples from 88 epileptic children/adolescents/young adults.
Methods
Serum antibodies reacting to specific SV40 peptides were analysed by indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Synthetic peptides corresponding to the epitopes of viral capsid proteins 1?3 were used as SV40 antigens.
Results
A significantly higher prevalence of antibodies against SV40 was detected in sera from epileptic patients compared to controls (41% vs. 19%). Specifically, the highest significant difference was revealed in the cohort of patients from 1.1 to 10 years old (54% vs. 21%), with a peak in the sub-cohort of 3.1?6 years old (65% vs. 18%).
Conclusion
Our immunological data suggest a strong association between epilepsy and the SV40 infection.