Epstein-Barr virus, cytomegalovirus and BK polyomavirus burden in juvenile systemic lupus erythematosus: correlation with clinical and laboratory indices of disease activity.

The results of our study assume a relationship between SLE and EBV, but we could not demonstrate an association between CMV and BKV. The negative DNA results in contrast to serological positivity can be interpreted as an altered and impaired immune system and increased viral susceptibility. These results suggest that EBV contributes to disease continuity, even if it does not directly cause development.