Determination of epstein barr virus immunoglobulin g seroprevalation in different age groups in Yozgat

Background: Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is a common herpes virus that can lead to asymptomatic infection or serious diseases such as infectious mononucleosis. There are no comprehensive studies showing the EBV seroprevalence in different age groups in Turkey. It is important for community health to determine the seroprevalence of EBV infection at certain intervals in the society and to monitor the distribution of seroprevalence in some demographic parameters such as gender, age groups. Our aim is to search the current seroprevalence and determinative sociodemographic characteristics of EBV in different age groups in Yozgat. Materials/Methods: Serum samples from 2323 individuals (between 6 months and 96 years of age) were tested to determine EBV seroprevalence in Yozgat. Antibody titers for EBV viral capsid antigen (VCA) IgG were quantitatively studied by the Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) method. Results were grouped as EBV VCA IgG positive or negative and the prevalence rates were calculated according to age groups, gender and sociodemographic characteristics. Result: Overall EBV seroprevalence was 82.2%. Seroprevalence increased with age. The seroprevalence was 60.2% among 6 months-2 years old; 70.2% among 3-5 years old; 89.9% among 20-29 years old. Seroprevalence of EBV was higher in females (85.5%) than in males (79.1%). When the samples were grouped over 20 years old and under 20 years old, there was no significant difference in seroprevalence according to gender among people under 20 years of age. However, seropositivity was higher in females over 20 years of age than males (96.8% vs 87.1%, p <0.001). It was observed that seroprevalence increased with number of siblings (p<0.05). There were no relationship between EBV seropozitivity and place of residence, economic status, housing details (home warming, number of rooms and ownership status), story of going to daycare. Conclusion: In our study EBV seropositivity rates were found to be high in Yozgat region. We found that EBV-VCA IgG positivity increases with age and is higher in women over 20 years of age. This study can help researchers interested in EBV-associated cancer etiology and clinicians to identify the groups under risk. In addition, this seroepidemiological data may help to determine the appropriate age when an EBV vaccine is developed. Key words: Epstein-Barr virus, Seroprevalence, Yozgat