The serological signs of the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) activity in the elderly

The authors determined the IgM and IgG anti-Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-VCA and anti-EBNA levels in single serum samples of 1882 patients with diagnose except infectious mononucleosis. The serological results were divided into four groups according to different serological patterns: the seronegative group, the IgM anti-VCA positive group (supposedly having actual EBV infection), the IgG (only) anti-VCA group (probably recent EBV infection or not sufficiently functioning cellular immunity) and IgG anti-VCA antibodies together with anti-EBNA (past EBV infection). The presence of heterophil antibodies was detected too. The incidence rates of the serological patterns were classified according to different age groups. It has been observed that the EBV seropositivity rapidly increases with age and over 60 years of age it is over 96%. At the same time the incidence rate of the IgM anti-VCA has gradually increased with age and from 3.66% in the age group of 0-10 years reached 11.98% in patients over 60 years of age. Significantly higher titres of IgG anti-VCA were found in the elderly group of patients as well. The distribution of heterophil antibody positive samples failed to show any significant distribution.