Why do these ageing studies measure epstein-barr virus antibody titres? What's the significance of testing Ab against EBV and not other normal flora?
For your consideration: Unlike CMV or HSV, EBV is a gamma herpesvirus and therefore is strongly latent. Adults are >90% seropositive for EBV and will have > Abs tiiters against the latent antigens such as EBNA. If the immune systems is "healthy" the T cells will keep EBV in check and they will have low titers against the lytic antigens such as EA or VCA. If the immune system is aging or weak you can have virus reactivation and an increase in Abs against EA or VCA. They can act as surrogate markers for the T cell immunity and overall health of the immune systems. While less sensitive compared to T cell assays it is likely easier to measure and will account for the times in between tiimes of assay.
Good luck with your research.
It may be related to certain form of decreased immunity especially in elders or other old ages. Another probability may be attributed to decreased flora activity and predominance of other invadors like virus and EPV may be one of them
Mohamed Elseweidy's answer is basically correct. Most studies find that cytomegalovirus, but not EBV, is involved in age-related CD8+ T-cell repertoire shrinkage and functional decline. The data are, however, mixed, and may depend on a cohort effect.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11772532
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16456027
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11164473
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17611062
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17337145
Michael is absolutely right. Comparisons among cohorts are futile and misleading.
For your consideration: Unlike CMV or HSV, EBV is a gamma herpesvirus and therefore is strongly latent. Adults are >90% seropositive for EBV and will have > Abs tiiters against the latent antigens such as EBNA. If the immune systems is "healthy" the T cells will keep EBV in check and they will have low titers against the lytic antigens such as EA or VCA. If the immune system is aging or weak you can have virus reactivation and an increase in Abs against EA or VCA. They can act as surrogate markers for the T cell immunity and overall health of the immune systems. While less sensitive compared to T cell assays it is likely easier to measure and will account for the times in between tiimes of assay.
Good luck with your research.
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