Immunological status to Epstein-Barr virus and cytomegalovirus in patients with genital condylomata.

Serological patterns against Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) and Cytomegalovirus (CMV) were determined in patients with genital condylomata (GC). The Ig G antibody values to EB-induced virus capsidic antigens (VCA), early antigens (EA) and Ig M to VCA were significantly higher in the study group than in the controls. Moreover, the concomitant presence of EBV-Ig G anti-VCA greater than or equal to 1/320, EBV-Ig G anti-EA greater than or equal to 1/20 and EBV-Ig M anti VCA greater than or equal to 1/20 was observed in 13 serum samples of genital condylomata patients, while, in only 2 serum samples of the healthy controls, the same serological pattern was present. The distribution of antibody values to CMV-induced LA, EA and IEA showed a significantly increased prevalence in the study group in comparison with the controls: the concomitant presence of antibody with a titre greater than or equal to 1/320 for CMV-LA, greater than or equal to 1/20 for CMV-EA and greater than or equal to 1/20 for CMV-IEA was observed in 15 serum samples of GC patients and in only 3 serum samples of the control group. Our results suggest that the active or recent EBV and CMV infections we observed in genital condylomata patients may be a consequence of impaired immunity in these patients, but it does not exclude a possible role of EBV and CMV in perpetuating human papilloma virus-induced cell proliferation.