Abstract
Herpes viruses are considered as a trigger factor for the development of a number of somatic diseases; however, no convincing relationship has ever been established between specific pathogens and a particular disease. Objective. To define the role of herpesvirus infections in the development of nervous system disorders and associated cerebrovascular diseases. Subjects and methods. The incidence of infectious mononucleosis, genital herpes, cytomegalovirus infection, nervous system disorders, and circulatory system diseases, including cerebrovascular ones, was analyzed in Russia in 2000-2020. Ninety-two blood donors and 84 neurology inpatients aged 18-65 years were examined for IgM and IgG antibodies to herpes simplex viruses (HSV-1 and HSV-2), Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), cytomegalovirus (CMV), and human herpesvirus 6 (HHV-6). Parametric and nonparametric methods were used for statistical processing. Results. A significant strong direct correlation was found between the incidence of infectious mononucleosis and circulatory system diseases (p = 0.89), cerebrovascular diseases (p = 0.92), genital herpes, and nervous system diseases (p = 0.70). The detection rate for HSV-1 and HSV-2 IgM, total IgEa and EBV IgM VCA in the patient group was significantly higher than that in the donors (p < 0.05). Dorsopathy is diagnosed significantly more often in active HSV-1 infection; cerebrovascular diseases are in EBV (p < 0.05). The presence of EBV IgM VCA and IgG Ea significantly (p < 0.05) increases the incidence of cerebrovascular disease (RR = 41.7; 95% CI 5.9-293.4). Conclusion. It has been shown for the first time that active EBV infection is a trigger factor for the development of cerebrovascular diseases.