Incidence of Epstein-Barr virus reactivation is elevated in COVID-19 patients, 2023 Keishanne Danielle E. Bernal et al

Mij

Mij

Senior Member (Voting Rights)
Highlights
    • COVID-19 patients have increased incidence of Epstein-Barr Virus reactivation.
    • Detection of EBV DNA is greater among COVID-19 positive patients (27.1% vs 12.5%).
    • No statistical difference in CRP levels of COVID-19 positive vs. negative patients.
    • No statistical difference in amount of EBV genomes in reactivated patient groups.
Abstract
COVID-19, an infectious respiratory illness, is caused by infection with the SARS-CoV-2 virus. Individuals with underlying medical conditions are at increased risk of developing serious illnesses such as long COVID. Recent studies have observed Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) reactivation in patients with severe illness or long COVID, which may contribute to associated symptoms.

We determined the frequency of EBV reactivation in COVID-19 positive patients compared to COVID-19 negative patients. 106 blood plasma samples were collected from COVID-19 positive and negative patients and EBV reactivation was determined by detection of EBV DNA and antibodies against EBV lytic genes in individuals with previous EBV infection. 27.1% (13/48) of EBV reactivations, based on qPCR detection of EBV genomes, are from the COVID positive group while only 12.5% (6/48) of reactivations belonged to the negative group. 20/52 (42.30%) of the COVID PCR negative group had detectable antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 nucleoprotein (Np); indicative of past infection. A significantly higher SARS-CoV-2 Np protein level was found in the COVID-19 positive group.

In conclusion, COVID-19 patients experienced increased reactivation of EBV in comparison to COVID negative patients.

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0168170223001193



 
Using two primer sets for determining EBV reactivation, it was found that the COVID positive group resulted in significantly increased reactivation of EBV (27.1% vs 12.5%) compared to the negative group. It should be noted that our COVID negative group does not represent a healthy population and rather that of patients treated for various unknown reasons at Westchester Medical Center.
Click to expand...

Interestingly, the 12.5% reactivation among non-COVID patients found in this study is similar to the amount reported in a 2016 study among a cohort of patients (12%) treated at Johns Hopkins Hospital with no current, prior, or subsequent EBV disease. While we did not have access to a healthy population for this study, other groups have reported EBV reactivation rates of 0.6% and 3% among healthy and immunocompetent individuals as determined by PCR of serum samples.
Click to expand...
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom