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Updated: Apr 18, 2026
Isolation and Quantification of Epstein-Barr Virus from the P3HR1 Cell Line
Published on: September 28, 2022
A large-scale seroprevalence of Epstein-Barr virus in Taiwan
Chao-Yu Chen1, Kuan-Ying A Huang2, Jen-Hsiang Shen1
1College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan; Division of Pediatric Infectious Disease, Department of Pediatrics, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taoyuan, Taiwan.
Background:
Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) causes a variety of clinical manifestations from asymptomatic infection to acute infectious mononucleosis in human. Moreover, the EBV infection is associated with malignancies. The large-scale EBV seroepidemiology across all age groups has been lacking in Taiwan.
Methods:
A total of 1411 serum samples were tested to examine the seroprevalence of EBV in 2007. The samples were collected during an island-wide seroepidemiological survey of vaccine preventable diseases in Taiwan. The enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was performed to detect anti-EBV viral capsid IgG in sera. Demographic and personal health data were obtained by questionnaires.
Results:
The overall weighted seropositive rate of EBV was 88.5% (95% CI, 86.7%-90.1%). The seropositive rate of EBV reached 52.8% (95% CI, 44.0%-61.6%) in children aged 2 years, rapidly rose to 88.7% (95% CI, 79.0%-95.1%) in those aged 5-7 years and 93.0% (95%CI, 83.0%-98.1%) for those aged 14-16 years. Age and higher educational level were associated with the increased EBV seropositive rate.
Conclusion:
In Taiwan, people had the EBV infection early in life. Children under 7 years should be the primary target popution of public health measures in the future.
