Abstract
Serological patterns against Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) specific antigens were determined in 3732 healthy babies and children aged 0–10 years living in the Bari area (South Italy).
IgG antibodies against EBV capsid antigen (VCA) were found in 2713 subjects (72.7%). Seropositivity rates, high in the first semester of life (83.8%), declined between 6 and 12 months (65.6%) and even further between 1 and 2 years (43.8%). After 2 years the frequency of positive children rose progressively reaching steady levels between 5 and 7 years (80.2%) and between 8 and 10 years (81.9%).
IgA antibodies against VCA, IgG anti-early viral antigen (EA) and IgG against virus-associated nuclear antigens (EBNA) were found in 17.9%, 15.9% and 25.7% of the subjects tested, respectively.
IgM anti-VCA were found only in 35 (0.9%) children, but 818 (21.9%) exhibited antibody patterns suggestive of a recent infection: IgG anti-VCA ≥ 1:160 alone or in association with IgA anti-VCA or IgG anti-EA or both.
These results suggest that in this area the primary infection by EBV occur early in life, with immunity to EBV acquired primarily after 4 years.
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Leogrande, G., Jirillo, E. Studies on the epidemiology of child infections in the Bari area (South Italy) VII. Epidemiology of Epstein-Barr virus infections. Eur J Epidemiol 9, 368–372 (1993). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00157392
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00157392