Title : The role of epstein-barr virus in upper respiratory tract diseases
Abstract:
Objective: Ebstein-Barr virus asymptomatically infects about 95% of adults worldwide. It is the main cause of infectious mononucleosis, which is observed most frequently in adolescents. Because EBV is an opportunistic virus, it is more difficult to diagnose. It is not the first factor that comes to mind. However, its presence seriously threatens health. It is very important to detect EBV together with other upper tract disease factors.
Material and Method: 184 patients were included in our study. EBV DNA isolation and PCR were performed on throat swab samples in which upper respiratory tract disease agents were detected.
Results: 184 patients (95 women, 89 men) admitted to our hospital with suspected upper respiratory tract disease were included in our study. The average age of female patients was 50,4 and male patients was 43. The kit we use for upper respiratory tract disease screening includes Adenovirus, Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), human Metapneumovirus, human Rhinovirus / Enterovirus, Influenza A virus, Influenza B virus, Parainfluenza virus, Respiratory syncytial virus, and Bordetella parapertussis, Bordetella pertussis, Chlamydia pneumoniae, Mycoplasma pneumonia from the bacterial group. EBV positivity was detected in 43 patients with EBV PCR in the throat swab sample of these 184 patients. The EBV PCR lower limit is 157 copy/ml. 9 out of 43 patients are below 157 copy/ml.
Of the 34 EBV (+) patients, 17 were ex. Of the 17 patients, 6 were women (mean age: 57), 11 were men (mean age:39). Influenza A in 1 of the 17 patients who died; 6 of them were Human Rhinovirus, Enterovirus; 2 had Adenovirus; 1 in Respiratory Synctial Virus; 2 of them were H. influenza, Streptococcus pneumonia was detected in 3 patients and Bocavirus in 1 patient.
Conclusion: Although EBV is an opportunistic and very common virus seen in the community, it does not come to mind in the preliminary diagnosis. These gaps urgently need to be filled, especially regarding the epidemiology and pathogenesis of the virus since more than 90% of the population eventually becomes infected.
