Epstein-Barr Virus Infection and Serological Profile in Greenland Eskimo Children |
| |
| Authors: | H. ALBECK,T. BILLE,H. J. FENGER,U. NARVESTAD,G. S. SØ RENSEN,G. HENLE,W. HENLE,N. HØ JGAARD NIELSEN,J. P. HART HANSEN |
| |
| Affiliation: | From the Ear, Nose and Throat Department, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen;Julianehdb Sygehus, Dronning Ingrids Sygehus, Godthab, Angmagsalik Sygehus, and Holsteinsborg Sygehus, Greenland;the Joseph Stokes JR Research Institute, the Childrens Hospital of Philadelphia, USA, the Institute of Forensic Medicine, Copenhagen, and the Institute of Pathological Anatomy, Gentofte Sygehus, Copenhagen, Denmark |
| |
| Abstract: | ![]()
ABSTRACT. The Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-specific antibody profile of 101 Greenland Eskimo children was determined. The proportion of children with serological evidence of recent or past primary EBV infections rose from 22 % at 6 months of age to 79 % at 24 months of age. All but 2 of 49 children more than 4 years of age proved seropositive. The geometric mean titre (GMT) of antibodies to the viral capsid antigen (VCA) was highest during the first 3 years of life and declined sharply to a lower, nearly constant level in older children. The GMT of antibodies to the nuclear antigen (EBNA), rose slowly during the first 4 years of life to its persistent level. None of the children had a history of illnesses comparable to infectious mononucleosis. The results have shown that in this population with an enhanced risk of nasopharyngeal carcinoma, primary EBV infection occurs at a very early age. |
| |
| Keywords: | Epstein-Barr virus silent infection infectious mononucleosis nasopharyngeal carcinoma |
|
|
