Epstein-Barr Virus Infection in Thalassemia Patients Related to Blood Group in Mosul / Iraq

Abstract

Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) belongs to the family of herpes viruses and about 90% of adults worldwide have antibodies against it. EBV infections are widespread in multiple patients with blood transfusion, such as ß-thalassemia patients, Hodgkin's lymphoma, Burkitt's lymphoma, and nasopharyngeal carcinoma.Blood samples from ( 70) thalassemic patients and (20) healthy controls were subjected for the detection of the blood groups (ABO) and EBV IgM antibodies by ELISA assay. The types of EBV infection as acute, late or reactivated were distinguished using a new immunoblot technique.The presentstudyshowedthat theEBV infection wasfound in (12.33 %) of patients with thalassemia and the highest incidence was (44.44%) in a class AB blood group subjects. Depending on Immunoblot techniquethetypeofinfections was distinguished, the results showed thatthehighestpercentage recorded was(55.55 %) in acuteinfections, followedby (22.22%) at late and reactivated infections.The present study found that thalassemia patients in Mosul / Iraq had a correlation between EBV and blood groups AB.