[Comparative study of the prevalence of Epstein-Barr virus infections in Iran and Germany]

352 persons from Iran and 469 persons from West-Germany were tested for EBV-antibodies using an immunofluorescence assay. In Iran the virus infection starts early in infancy and attains higher antibody values as compared with age related German population. In the age group of 1-5 years 70% of the Iranians are antibody positive in contrast to only 56% of the Germans in the same age group. The high prevalence of EBV-antibodies is due to unfavourable hygienic facilities as well as to regional overpopulation.