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Immune status towards Epstein-Barr virus in a group of Sicilian children
P Ammatuna1, R Di Stefano, S Arista
1Instituto di Microbiologia, Università di Palermo, Italy.
Insights
Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) antibody prevalence was studied in children. Most children with infectious mononucleosis (IM) had specific IgM antibodies, suggesting early primary infection in Sicilian children.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Immunology
- Pediatrics
Background:
- Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is a common human herpesvirus.
- Infectious mononucleosis (IM) is a common manifestation of primary EBV infection.
- Understanding EBV antibody profiles is crucial for diagnosing IM and understanding infection dynamics.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the prevalence of antibodies against Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-determined antigens in children with acute infectious mononucleosis (IM).
- To compare antibody profiles between children with IM and a control group of children with non-EBV related illnesses.
- To determine the age of primary EBV infection in Sicilian children.
Main Methods:
- Serological testing for antibodies against EBV viral capsid antigen (VCA), Epstein-Barr virus-associated nuclear antigen (EBNA), and early antigen (EA).
- Analysis of IgM-specific antibodies.
- Comparison of antibody prevalence and titers across different age groups.
Main Results:
- All 17 children with acute IM had IgM-specific antibodies, which were absent in the control group.
- Antibodies against VCA were present in 66% of the control group, but 33.5% lacked antibodies against EBNA.
- IgG anti-VCA seropositivity reached 83% by age six, with the highest mean geometric titer between ages 2 and 4 years.
Conclusions:
- The presence of IgM antibodies is a strong indicator of acute infectious mononucleosis in children.
- Primary EBV infection in Sicilian children typically occurs early in life.
- Age-specific antibody profiles can help elucidate the epidemiology of EBV infection.
Abstract:
The prevalence of antibodies to Epstein-Barr virus-determined antigens was studied in 17 children with acute infectious mononucleosis (IM) and in 263 children hospitalized for diseases unrelated to EBV infection. Antibodies against Epstein-Barr viral capsid antigens (VCA) were observed in 173 patients of the control group (66%), but 58 of them (33,5%) had not yet developed antibodies against Epstein-Barr virus-associated nuclear antigen (EBNA). IgM-specific antibodies were not found in any of the children of the control group but were present in all of the 17 patients with IM. The rates of positivity for IgA anti-VCA and IgG anti-early antigen (EA) were similar in all age groups. Anti-viral capsid antigen IgG seropositivity increased to 83% by the age of six years, the mean geometric titre being highest between the ages of 2 and 4 years. Our results suggest that in Sicilian children the primary infection occurs prevalently early in life, in parallel with the occurrence of IM.