Nataša Beader1,2, Branko Kolarić3,4, Domagoj Slačanac1, Irena Tabain5, Tatjana Vilibić-Čavlek1,5. 1. Department of Microbiology, School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia. 2. Department of Clinical and Molecular Microbiology, University Hospital Centre Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia. 3. Department for Social Medicine and Epidemiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Rijeka, Rijeka, Croatia. 4. Department of Epidemiology, Andrija Stampar Teaching Institute of Public Health, Zagreb Croatia. 5. Department of Virology, Croatian National Institute of Public Health, Zagreb, Croatia.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: The Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is one of the most common viruses found in humans, causing lifelong infection in up to 95% of the world population. OBJECTIVES: To analyze the seroprevalence of EBV infection in different population groups in Croatia. METHODS: During a 2 year period (2015-2016), a total of 2022 consecutive serum samples collected from Croatian residents were tested for the presence of EBV-specific viral capsid antigen (VCA) immunoglobulin M (IgM) and IgG antibodies using an enzyme-linked immunoassay. IgM/IgG-positive samples were further tested for IgG avidity. RESULTS: The overall prevalence of EBV IgG antibodies was 91.4%. Females had significantly higher IgG seroprevalence than males (93.1% vs. 89.9%, P = 0.008). According to age, IgG seropositivity increased progressively from 59.6% in children age < 9 years to 98.3% in 30-39 year olds, and remained stable thereafter (P < 0.001). The IgG seroprevalence differed significantly among groups: 68.1% in children/adolescents and 95.9% in adults; multiple sclerosis (100%), hemodialysis patients (97.7%), heart transplant recipients (93.8%), hematological malignancies (91.2%), and Crohn's disease (88.5%), P < 0.001. IgM antibodies were detected in 9% of participants. Using IgG avidity, recent primary EBV infection was documented in 83.8% of IgM-positive subjects < 9 years old, 69.2% age 10-19, 33.3% age 20-29, and 3.6-4.2% > 40. All IgM positive participants > 40 years showed high IgG avidity. Logistic regression showed that age is associated with EBV IgG seropositivity. CONCLUSIONS: EBV is widespread in the Croatian population. Older age appears to be the main risk factor for EBV seropositivity.
BACKGROUND: The Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is one of the most common viruses found in humans, causing lifelong infection in up to 95% of the world population. OBJECTIVES: To analyze the seroprevalence of EBV infection in different population groups in Croatia. METHODS: During a 2 year period (2015-2016), a total of 2022 consecutive serum samples collected from Croatian residents were tested for the presence of EBV-specific viral capsid antigen (VCA) immunoglobulin M (IgM) and IgG antibodies using an enzyme-linked immunoassay. IgM/IgG-positive samples were further tested for IgG avidity. RESULTS: The overall prevalence of EBV IgG antibodies was 91.4%. Females had significantly higher IgG seroprevalence than males (93.1% vs. 89.9%, P = 0.008). According to age, IgG seropositivity increased progressively from 59.6% in children age < 9 years to 98.3% in 30-39 year olds, and remained stable thereafter (P < 0.001). The IgG seroprevalence differed significantly among groups: 68.1% in children/adolescents and 95.9% in adults; multiple sclerosis (100%), hemodialysis patients (97.7%), heart transplant recipients (93.8%), hematological malignancies (91.2%), and Crohn's disease (88.5%), P < 0.001. IgM antibodies were detected in 9% of participants. Using IgG avidity, recent primary EBV infection was documented in 83.8% of IgM-positive subjects < 9 years old, 69.2% age 10-19, 33.3% age 20-29, and 3.6-4.2% > 40. All IgM positive participants > 40 years showed high IgG avidity. Logistic regression showed that age is associated with EBV IgG seropositivity. CONCLUSIONS:EBV is widespread in the Croatian population. Older age appears to be the main risk factor for EBV seropositivity.
Authors: Leonn Mendes Soares Pereira; Eliane Dos Santos França; Iran Barros Costa; Igor Tenório Lima; Amaury Bentes Cunha Freire; Francisco Lúzio de Paula Ramos; Talita Antonia Furtado Monteiro; Olinda Macedo; Rita Catarina Medeiros Sousa; Felipe Bonfim Freitas; Igor Brasil Costa; Antonio Carlos Rosário Vallinoto Journal: Sci Rep Date: 2021-09-16 Impact factor: 4.996
Authors: Leonn Mendes Soares Pereira; Eliane Dos Santos França; Iran Barros Costa; Igor Tenório Lima; Amaury Bentes Cunha Freire; Francisco Lúzio de Paula Ramos; Talita Antonia Furtado Monteiro; Olinda Macedo; Rita Catarina Medeiros Sousa; Felipe Bonfim Freitas; Igor Brasil Costa; Antonio Carlos Rosário Vallinoto Journal: Viruses Date: 2022-01-18 Impact factor: 5.048