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Hindi Research Article, J Virol Antivir Res Vol: 3 Issue: 3
Pilot Study of Epstein Barr virus Infection at the Onset of Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia in Egyptian Children
| Maysaa El Sayed Zaki1*, Walaa Othman El Shabrawy1 and Rasha Elashry2 | |
| 1Clinical Pathology Department, Mansoura Faculty of Medicine, Egypt | |
| 2Pediatric Departments, Mansoura Faculty of Medicine, Egypt | |
| Corresponding author : Maysaa El Sayed Zaki Professor of Clinical Pathology-Mansoura Faculty of medicine, Egypt Tel: 0020502258877 E-mail: may_s65@hotmail.com |
|
| Received: August 24, 2014 Accepted: October 20, 2014 Published: October 26, 2014 | |
| Citation: Zaki MES, Shabrawy WOE, Elashry R (2014) Pilot Study of Epstein Barr virus Infection at the Onset of Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia in Egyptian Children. J Virol Antivir Res 3:3. doi:10.4172/2324-8955.1000128 |
Abstract
Background: There are no reports from our region about the association of Epstein Barr virus (EBV) with acute lymphoblastic leukemia in children.
Aim: The aim of the present study is to assess the presence of EBV in children with acute incidence of acute lymphoblastic leukemia by the use of specific immunoglobulins assay for capsid protein antigens and molecular method.
Material and Method: The study included 93 children at the onset of acute lymphoblastic leukemia. In addition, 100 healthy children with matched age and sex were included as control group. Blood samples were obtained from each participant of the study and sera were separated. Sera were subjected to serological studies of EBV specific immunoglobulins G (IgG) and M (IgM) for viral capsid antigens by enzyme linked immunosorbant assay and molecular study of EBV DNA by polymerase chain reaction (PCR).
Results: Immunoglobulin G was the most common marker among children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (29%) followed by EBV DNA (25.8%) and then IgM (12.9%). In control group 15 children were positive for EBV IgG (15%) and 5 children were positive for IgM (5%) and none were positive for EBV DNA. There was statistically significant difference in presence of Ig G (P=0.0001) and EBV DNA (P=0.04) between patients and control. Younger age (3.4 ± 1.6, P=0.005) and lower platelets counts (43±1.0 x103, P=0,027) are associated with positive EBV viremia in patients.
Conclusion: From this study we can conclude that Epstein Barr virus is common in children at the onset of acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Younger age is associated with positive EBV viremia in patients. The infection is usually asymptomatic and diagnosed only by laboratory tools. The combination of serology with molecular method for detection of this virus is the ideal way.
