Seroprevalence of Epstein-Barr Virus in HIV-Infected Patients, A Case Control Study

Abstract

Background:Patients with AIDS are at risk for contagious infections such as Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection. Objectives: The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of EBV infection in HIV-infected patients and compare it with healthy individuals in Hamadan province in the west of Iran. Methods: In a case-control study, 61 HIV-infected patients and 62 healthy individuals were enrolled. EBV viral capsid antigens (VCA) IgM and IgG antibodies were measured by chemiluminescent immunoassay system and CD4 cell count was measured by flow cytometry. Data were analyzed using SPSS (version 16). Results: All HIV-infected patients (100%) had positive EBV VCA-IgG antibody while 57(91.9%) in the controls were positive (P = 0.02). There was no statistically significant relationship between CD4 cell count and the prevalence of EBV infection in HIV-infected patients (P = 0.4). However, there was a statistically significant relationship between the reduced CD4 cell count and rising EBV VCA-IgG antibody titer (P = 0.001). Moreover, there was no significant association between the prevalence of EBV infection and variables of age, sex and anti-retrovirus therapy in HIV-infected patients (P > 0.05). There was also a significant association between the antibody titer and antiretroviral therapy (P = 0.004). Conclusions:The high prevalence of EBV infection in HIV-infected patients, especially in the patients with a low CD4 count, could lead to high risk of EBV complications.

The Burden of Epstein–Barr Virus (EBV) and Its Determinants among Adult HIV-Positive Individuals in Ethiopia

“…PWH have a higher likelihood of detectable EBV DNA, which may account for the high prevalence of EBV-associated lymphomas in this population. Thus, our findings confirm that HIV infection a risk factor for EBV serostatus and infectious processes (the presence of EBV DNA), consistent with the results of other studies [ 7 , 10 , 26 , 37 ].…”

“…With more than 90% of the adult human population infected with the oncogenic herpesvirus EBV [ 24 ], coinfection with this virus is common for PWH [ 25 ]. Accordingly, knowing the burden of productive EBV infection among PWH is essential for controlling morbidity and mortality and preventing complications [ 26 ].…”

“…Our results are consistent with other studies that have found a higher seroprevalence of EBV infection in HIV disease [ 27 , 28 ]. A study conducted in Iran found that the seroprevalence of EBV infection was 100% in HIV-positive individuals and 91.9% in HIV-negative individuals [ 26 ]. Similarly, a study conducted in South Africa found that the seroprevalence of EBV infection was 100% in HIV-positive individuals [ 29 ].…”