Sero-epidemiological patterns of Epstein-Barr and herpes simplex (HSV-1 and HSV-2) viruses in England and Wales.
The aim was to carry out a population-based sero-prevalence survey of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) across a wide age range in England and Wales and to identify any associations between EBV and herpes simplex virus types one and two (HSV-1 and 2). Sera from an age-stratified sample of 2,893 individuals, submitted for diagnostic purposes to 15 public health laboratories in England and Wales in 1994, were tested for immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibody to EBV. The samples had been tested previously for IgG antibody to HSV-1 and HSV-2. The serological profile of EBV was consistent with an endemic infection with peaks in transmission in those less than 5 years old and in young adults. An age adjusted analysis found a significant association between EBV and HSV-1 seropositivity that is most likely explained by similarities in their mode of transmission. The very low seroprevalence of HSV-2 in this sample complicated the comparisons of EBV and HSV-1 with HSV-2. Any associations were most likely explained by chance. Given the association between EBV and HSV-1, it is likely that recently documented epidemiological changes in HSV-1 also apply to EBV. Continuing surveillance of these herpes viruses is necessary as the predicted changes could have a significant public health impact, especially in the young adult population.
Immunisation Division, Communicable Disease Surveillance Centre, London, United Kingdom. mmorris@phls.org.uk
Marianne C
MC
Morris
W John
WJ
Edmunds
Louise M
LM
Hesketh
Andrew J
AJ
Vyse
Elizabeth
E
Miller
Peter
P
Morgan-Capner
David W G
DW
Brown
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004739:England / Q000453:epidemiology; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay / Q000379:methods; D020031:Epstein-Barr Virus Infections / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000276:immunology / Q000821:virology*; D005260:Female; D006558:Herpes Genitalis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000276:immunology / Q000821:virology*; D018259:Herpesvirus 1, Human / Q000276:immunology / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D018258:Herpesvirus 2, Human / Q000276:immunology / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D004854:Herpesvirus 4, Human / Q000276:immunology / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D006801:Humans; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000097:blood; D015994:Incidence; D007223:Infant; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D017678:Sex Distribution; D014852:Wales / Q000453:epidemiology
D007074:Immunoglobulin G