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Published on: September 7, 2022
[Analysis of Epstein Barr virus infection in 761 hospitalized children]
Qian Chen1, Zheng Hu, Qi-Hua Zhang
1Nanjing Children's Hospital Affiliated to Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China. chenqian97@163.com
Insights
Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection affects 14.3% of hospitalized children, with higher rates in summer and varying prevalence across age groups. Respiratory infections are the most common associated illness in EBV-positive pediatric patients.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Pediatric Infectious Diseases
- Molecular Diagnostics
Context:
- Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is a common human herpesvirus with diverse clinical manifestations.
- Accurate diagnosis and understanding of EBV epidemiology in pediatric populations are crucial for effective management.
- Real-time PCR offers a sensitive method for detecting EBV DNA in clinical samples.
Purpose:
- To investigate the prevalence and epidemiological characteristics of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection in hospitalized children.
- To identify the spectrum of EBV-associated diseases in this pediatric cohort.
- To evaluate the utility of real-time PCR for EBV diagnosis in children.
Summary:
- A real-time PCR analysis of 761 pediatric plasma samples revealed a 14.3% EBV-DNA positivity rate.
- EBV-DNA prevalence varied significantly by age group and season, with the lowest rate in infants and higher rates in summer.
- Respiratory system infections, including acute bronchitis and bronchopneumonia, were the most frequent diagnoses in EBV-positive children (39%).
Impact:
- This study highlights seasonal and age-related patterns in pediatric EBV infections.
- It identifies respiratory infections as a primary clinical concern in EBV-positive children.
- Real-time PCR is confirmed as a valuable tool for rapid and reliable EBV diagnosis in pediatric care.
Objective:
To study the status of EB virus (EBV) infection and the spectrum of EBV infection-related diseases.
Methods:
A total of 761 plasma samples with suspected EBV infection were collected from 761 children (aged from 22 days to 14 years) admitted between August 2010 and July 2011. EBV-DNA of 761 plasma samples was detected by real-time PCR. The epidemiological characteristics and final clinical diagnosis were analyzed based on the clinical data of these EBV-positive hospitalized patients.
Results:
A total of 109 cases with EBV infection were detected by real-time PCR, with a positive rate of 14.3%. There were significant differences in the positive rate of EBV-DNA among different age groups and between seasons (P<0.05). The positive rate of EBV-DNA in the baby group (<1 year old) was lowest (P<0.05), and the positive rate of EBV-DNA in summer was higher than in winter (P<0.05). The range of plasma EBV-DNA level in children with EBV-DNA positivity was 2.13 to 6.69 (median 3.72). Based on the final diagnosis of 62 EBV-positive hospitalized children, the most common disease was respiratory system infection (39%), such as acute bronchitis, acute upper respiratory infection and bronchopneumonia.
Conclusions:
The EBV-DNA positive rate is different among different age groups and between seasons. Respiratory system infection is a leading disease in hospitalized children who are EBV-DNA positive. Real-time PCR assay is useful for rapid and reliable clinical diagnosis of EBV in children.
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