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Primary Epstein-Barr Virus Infection in Healthy Children in Saudi Arabia: A Single Hospital-Based Study

Ahmed Zaki1,2

  • 1Faculty of Medicine, Mansoura University, Mansoura, Egypt.

Journal of Tropical Pediatrics
|December 22, 2020
PubMed

Insights

Primary Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection in children often presents as infectious mononucleosis (IM), but atypical symptoms are also seen. This study in Saudi Arabia found younger children are more frequently affected, with infants showing non-typical presentations.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatrics
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Virology

Background:

  • Primary Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection commonly manifests as infectious mononucleosis (IM).
  • Atypical presentations of primary EBV infection in children can delay diagnosis.
  • Understanding EBV epidemiology in pediatric populations is crucial for timely intervention.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the epidemiological, clinical, and laboratory features of primary EBV infection in children.
  • To differentiate between typical IM and atypical presentations of EBV in pediatric patients.
  • To identify age-related patterns in primary EBV infection among children in western Saudi Arabia.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective analysis of electronic health records for children tested for EBV-viral capsid antigen (VCA) IgM.
  • Inclusion criteria: children admitted to the hospital with positive EBV-VCA IgM results between January 2018 and December 2019.
  • Patients categorized into infectious mononucleosis (IM) and non-typical presentation groups for comparative analysis.

Main Results:

  • Of 42 children with positive EBV-VCA IgM, 71% had IM and 29% had non-typical presentations.
  • Infectious mononucleosis (IM) was more prevalent in early childhood (46.7%), while non-typical presentations were more common in infants under one year (50%).
  • Diagnosis time was longer for non-typical presentations (4.7 days) compared to IM (3.4 days); IM group showed higher total leukocyte counts (11 vs. 5.5).

Conclusions:

  • Primary EBV infection in Saudi children predominantly affects younger age groups.
  • Infectious mononucleosis (IM) is more common in early childhood, whereas infants are more prone to non-typical EBV presentations.
  • Adolescents represent a less affected demographic for primary EBV infection in this region.
Abstract

Keywords:
EBVSaudi Arabiachildreninfectious mononucleosis

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