Analysis of viral nucleic acids in duodenal biopsies from adult patients with celiac disease

Objective The purpose of this study was to investigate the presence of Adenovirus, Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), HHV-6 and cytomegalovirus (CMV) nucleic acids in the gastrointestinal biopsies from active CD patients. Methods Gastrointestinal biopsies of 40 active CD patients and 40 non-CD patients were collected during the endoscopic investigation of gastrointestinal symptoms. Results HHV-6B was found in 62.5% of CD patients and in 65% of non-CD individuals, whereas the prevalence of EBV-positive samples was 20 and 10%, respectively. Nucleic acids from HHV-6A, CMV and adenovirus were not detected in any group. Conclusion These data suggest that these viruses may not play a role in the pathogenesis of acute CD, but they do not exclude the possibility that viruses can act as a trigger for the onset of celiac disease.

Automated summary

This study investigated the presence of Adenovirus, Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), HHV-6, and cytomegalovirus (CMV) in gastrointestinal biopsies from patients with active celiac disease (CD). The results showed that HHV-6B was present in 62.5% of CD patients and 65% of non-CD individuals, while the prevalence of EBV-positive samples was 20% and 10% respectively. However, no nucleic acids from HHV-6A, CMV, or adenovirus were detected in any group. These findings suggest that these viruses may not directly contribute to the development of acute CD, but they do not exclude the possibility that viruses can act as triggers for the onset of celiac disease.