EPSTEIN-BARR-VIRUS (EBV) ANTIBODY PATTERNS AMONG THE HEALTHY POPULATION AND THE EBV-ASSOCIATED PATIENTS IN EASTERN SAUDI-ARABIA (1990-1994)

Objective: 1 - Seroepidemiological survey for EBV prevalence in Easter n Saudi Arabia. 2 - To expose the different EBV antibody patterns amon g healthy population and EBV-associated disease patients. Design: For detection of EBV antibodies (EA IgM, EA IgG, EBNA IgG and VCA IgG), we used regular classical ELISAs, re-DNA and synthetic polypeptides ELIS A, also, Immunofluorescence technique IIFT. Setting: In virology-diagn ostic laboratory of Dammam Regional Labs & Blood-Bank. Subjects: One t housand seven hundred and eighty-three blood specimens including healt hy population (of different ages), and EBV-associated disease patients .Results: 1-EBV incidence showed 80%, 61.8%, 82.6% and 96.4% among hea lthy blood donors. Healthy children, healthy pregnant women, and EBV-A ssociated patients respectively. 2 - The incidence among children (dif ferent age-groups): 44.4%, 55.7%, 62.5%, and 72.3% for the < 6, < 12, < 15 and < 18 year-age group respectively. 3 - EBV-healthy pattern: 69 .17% showed a pattern: (EA IgM-, EA IgG-, EBNA IgG+ and VCA IgG variab le), while 18.33% were negative. 4-EBV associated patients: Very early pattern: EA IgM+, EA IgG EBNA IgG- Early pattern: EA IgM+, EA IgG+, E BNA variable, VCA+. Convalescence pattern: EA IgM-, EA IgG+, EBNA-, VC A+. Latent pattern: EA IgM-, EA IgG variable, EBNA+, VCA variable. Lif e long latency pattern: EA IgM-, EA Ige-, EBNA+, VCA Ige variable. Con clusion: EBV is circulating in this part of the world as elsewhere, an d the EA IgM, EA IgG are of prime diagnostic importance for the primar y infection, while the EBNA IgG parameter is excellent for the epidemi ological studies. However, the VCA Ige appeared to be of less importan ce as either a diagnostic or epidemiological marker. We recommend furt her follow-up for healthy EBV negative subjects in cases of possible o rgan transplantation (who also must be an EBV negative donor).