Abstract
Although a viral etiology for biliary atresia(B.A.) has been suspected, no viral isolates or antibody responses have been consistently correlated with the disease. Because our studies on the hepatobiliary injury in mice inoculated with reovirus type 3 (Reo 3) have shown that many stages of the human and rodent microscopic pathology are similar (Bangaru,et al, Lab.Invest.43,456,1980), we have studied Reo 3 antibody responses in 15 infants with B.A. When neutralization tests were used, the sera from 2 babies demonstrated rising antibody titers to Reo 3. When antibodies were measured by indirect immunofluorescence using Reo 3 infected L cells as antigen in a coded protocol, 8 of 15 (53%) of babies with B.A. had Reo 3 antibodies. Some of these positive sera were shown to contain viral specific IgM. Only 1 of 18 (6%) of the controls had similar antibody (P<.001). Neutralization tests measure response to only 1 of 10 Reo 3 proteins; however, fluorescent antibodies probably recognize additional proteins. None of these children had antibody responses to cytomegalovirus, toxoplasma, rubella or herpesvirus nor had HBsAg. We have been unable to isolate Reo 3 from stool, throat or liver specimens taken from babies with B.A.; however, at a corresponding stage of the murine Reo 3 disease, no virus can be recovered. These observations are consistent either with the persistence of defective Reo 3 or continuing immunologic mediated tissue damage. In contrast to the common, asymptomatic acquisition of Reo 3 antibodies later in childhood, our results suggest that neonatal infections with Reo 3 are related to hepatobiliary disease.
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Glaser, J., Cho, S., Moreoki, R. et al. 1010 REOVIRUS TYPE 3 ANTIBODIES IN THE SERA OF INFANTS WITH BILIARY ATRESIA. Pediatr Res 15 (Suppl 4), 611 (1981). https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-198104001-01036
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-198104001-01036