Most Read
Abstract
Objective: We aimed to evaluate the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) viral capsid antigen (VCA) IgM, IgG and monospot test results of patients with clinically suspected infectious mononucleosis (IM) and to assess EBV seroprevalence and some demographic statics of a 6-year period.
Methods: EBV VCA IgM, IgG and monospot tests were performed using ELISA and slide agglutination methods respectively for the serological diagnosis of sera of clinically suspected 9289 IM cases, sent to the Serology/ELISA Laboratory of Istanbul University Cerrahpasa Faculty of Medicine between December 2005 and October 2011. EBV VCA IgM and VCA IgG tests were performed for 8409 of 9289 cases, and only EBV VCA IgM test were performed for 880 cases. The test results were obtained and evaluated retrospectively from the registration records. Gender and ages of the cases were also evaluated.
Results: In 9289 cases between 1-70 years of age, 52% were male and 48% were female. The cases were assessed and classified into groups including 402 (4.3%) acute infection, 4905 (58.3%) past infection and 3234 (38.5%) seronegative cases for EBV infection. Only EBV VCA IgM was tested in 880 cases and 748 cases were seronegative. The highest incidence of acute EBV infection was detected with 88 cases in 2010. In acute EBV infection group, 218 (54.2%) were male and 184 (45.8%) were female, respectively, and the highest incidence was in the15-28 age group.
Conclusions: After a retrospective evaluation of 6 years, the seroprevalence of EBV infections was detected as 58.3% and 4.3% for acute infection and IM, respectively. The highest IM incidence (33.8%) was detected in the 15-28 age group.