Epstein-Barr virus infection and serological profile in Greenland Eskimo children.
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.
D000293:Adolescent; D000367:Age Factors; D000914:Antibodies, Viral / Q000032:analysis; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D006116:Greenland; D004854:Herpesvirus 4, Human / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007244:Infectious Mononucleosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000276:immunology*; D004930:Inuit
D000914:Antibodies, Viral