Abstract
The Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is a common virus in humans and the most common causative agent of Infectious Mononucleosis. EBV primary infection has recently risen in some countries and children below 2 years of age are highly susceptible. The clinical manifestations in children with EB virus infection involve multiple systems, causing severe illness, meaning attention should be paid during diagnosis and treatment. Objective: This single institution based retrospective study was carried out with the aim of estimating the overall prevalence of EBV infection and identifying high-risk age group among children. Methods: This study include total 253 patients under 15 years of age found to be positive for EBV DNA by serum PCR who were admitted to the Pediatrics Department of Renmin Hospital,(Shiyan, China) during a 4-year period from 2014 to 2017. Patients were divided into three groups; 0-<4years, 4-<6years and 6-<15years. We then calculated the percentage and prevalence of EBV DNA-positive cases. Results: The yearly EBV prevalence rate was 4.99 per 1000 admissions in 2014, 6.97 per 1000 admissions in 2015, 10.42 per 1000 admissions in 2016, and 12.16 per 1000 admissions in 2017. Out of 253 EBV-positive cases, those under 4 years had the highest rate of EBV infection (74.7%). The rate drops to 11.06% in the 4-6 years group, and was 14.22% in the 6-15 years group. Those between 6 months and 1 year are those at the highest risk. Conclusion: The rate of hospital admission of children due to EBV infection is increasing day by day. Children under 4 years of age are highly susceptible to infection and children of age between 6 months and 1 year are the high-risk group for EBV infection.
Highlights
The Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is the most common herpesvirus in humans and the most common causative agent of infectious mononucleosis[1]
Sprunt and Evans in 1920 coined the term infectious mononucleosis to describe an acute infectious disease accompanied by atypical large peripheral blood lymphocytes[2]
The diagnosis of EBV infection is based on clinical features such as- fever, pharyngitis, lymphadenopathy, hepatomegaly, and splenomegaly along with leukocytosis with a predominance of lymphocytes, >10% atypical lymphocytosis, heterophile antibodies, serum PCR for EBV DNA and serological testing including antibodies for viral capsid antigens, early antigens, and Epstein-Barr nuclear antigen
Summary
The Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is the most common herpesvirus in humans and the most common causative agent of infectious mononucleosis[1]. It is known as the “kissing disease”[2]. During late adolescence 50–70 percent of teenagers get infected with infectious mononucleosis[2] Though it has a self-limiting course, it may sometimes lead to numerous rare, atypical and threatening manifestations. The diagnosis of EBV infection is based on clinical features such as- fever, pharyngitis, lymphadenopathy, hepatomegaly, and splenomegaly along with leukocytosis with a predominance of lymphocytes, >10% atypical lymphocytosis, heterophile antibodies (assessed via monospot test), serum PCR for EBV DNA and serological testing including antibodies for viral capsid antigens, early antigens, and Epstein-Barr nuclear antigen
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