JOURNAL ARTICLE
RESEARCH SUPPORT, U.S. GOV'T, P.H.S.
Add like
Add dislike
Add to saved papers

Viral antibodies in normal tears.

Viruses are a common cause of eye infection. The local mucosal response, with production of antibodies released into tears, is believed to provide an important immune defense against these agents. However very little information exists on the viral specificity of normal tear immunoglobulins. In this study we obtained tears, parotid saliva and serum from 40 normal subjects without eye disease. Samples were examined by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for antibodies to seven common viruses which invade mucosa: cytomegalovirus (CMV), Epstein Barr (EBV), herpes simplex type I (HSVI), measles, mumps, rubella and varicella zoster virus (VZV). The majority of normal tears contained antibodies to HSVI (73%) and EBV (65%), occasionally to mumps (30%), rubella (30%), and VZV (20%), and rarely to CMV (5%). Tear viral antibodies were mainly IgA class, but it was not unusual to find IgG antibodies to HSVI, VZV, rubella and measles. Tear and parotid saliva immunoglobulins from the same individual had entirely different viral reactivity. In most cases tear viral antibodies were reflected in serum viral antibodies, although the immunoglobulin class might differ. However, 15% of normal tears had antibodies to HSVI without detectable serum antibodies. From this study we conclude that normal tear immunoglobulins contain antibodies to common viruses, in particular to HSVI and EBV. These tear antibodies are mainly IgA, but can consist of IgG. Viral antibodies in tears are independent of the antibodies present in parotid saliva, suggesting that there is preferential homing of committed B lymphocytes to different mucosal surfaces.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Full text links

We have located links that may give you full text access.
Can't access the paper?
Try logging in through your university/institutional subscription. For a smoother one-click institutional access experience, please use our mobile app.

For the best experience, use the Read mobile app

Mobile app image

Get seemless 1-tap access through your institution/university

For the best experience, use the Read mobile app

All material on this website is protected by copyright, Copyright © 1994-2024 by WebMD LLC.
This website also contains material copyrighted by 3rd parties.

By using this service, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy.

Your Privacy Choices Toggle icon

You can now claim free CME credits for this literature searchClaim now

Get seemless 1-tap access through your institution/university

For the best experience, use the Read mobile app