Ann Pain Med | Volume 2, Issue 1 | Research Article | Open Access

Pain in Older Individuals and Its Association with Latent Epstein-Barr Virus Reactivation

Annina Seiler1*, Kyle W. Murdock2, Raymond P. Stowe3 and Christopher P. Fagundes1,4

1Department of Consultation-Liaison-Psychiatry and Psychosomatic Medicine, University Hospital Zurich, Switzerland
2Department of Biobehavioral Health, Pennsylvania State University, USA
3Department of Diagnostics Division, Microgen Laboratories, USA
4Department of Behavioral Science, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, USA

*Correspondance to: Annina Seiler 

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Abstract

Objective: Immunosenescence is a natural process of aging. Pain, a severe stressor, is associated with immune dysregulation. Latent herpes virus reactivation is an indicator of poor cellular immune function. The present study examined the association between pain, latent Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV) reactivation, and markers of inflammation in older individuals.
Methods: Eighty-two individuals (x̅age= 67.0; range 36 - 85 years) examined for pain (SF-36 pain subscale), EBV Viral Capsid Antigen (VCA) IgG antibody titers, C-reactive protein, interleukin-6, and tumor necrosis factor-alpha. Pearson correlation coefficients were calculated to identify potential associations between pain, EBV VCA IgG antibody titers and inflammation. Hierarchical linear regression models were conducted using the PROCESS macro for SPSS to examine the association between age, EBV VCA IgG antibody titers and markers of inflammation.
Results: Older age (B = .033; p = .024) and higher pain (B = .354; p = .004) were associated with greater latent EBV reactivation. A moderation model suggested that pain and EBV VCA IgG antibody titers were associated with older age among individuals with higher pain (Binteraction = .013; p = .025), but not among those with lower pain (Binteraction = -.004; p = .60). Specifically, older age (≥ 59 years) was associated with more EBV VCA IgG antibody titers among those who reported higher pain levels (SF-36 pain subscale ≥ 54.1; 13% of the sample). No significant relationship between EBV VCA IgG antibody titers and markers of inflammation were identified.
Discussion: The current study extends prior work on EBV reactivation by suggesting that older age (≥ 59 years) is associated with increased EBV VCA antibody titers among those individuals who reported higher pain levels. Continued research is needed to clarify the complexity of age-related symptoms associated with latent EBV infection and immune dysregulation.

Keywords:

Epstein-Barr virus; Pain; Inflammation; Age

Citation:

Seiler A, Murdock KW, Stowe RP, Fagundes CP. Pain in Older Individuals and Its Association with Latent EpsteinBarr Virus Reactivation. Annals Pain Med. 2019;2(1):1007.

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