[A serological survey of Epstein-Barr virus infection in children in Beijing].
OBJECTIVE
To understand the prevalence of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection in urban and rural areas of Beijing using the serological method.


METHODS
Totally 589 serum samples were collected from children in Beijing urban and rural areas who were 0--14 years old and tested with Viron-Seron ELISA classic EBV virus capsid antigen IgG antibody (EBV VCA IgG) kit. Optical density of serum samples was obtained at the wavelength of 405 nanometers. Sero-positive or negative samples were determined according to standard curve and cut-off attached in ELISA classic EBV VCA IgG kits. The activity of EBV VCA IgG was calculated by using special formula. The percentage and activity of EBV VCA IgG from Beijing children were compared with SPSS 13.0 between the urban and rural areas.


RESULTS
The percentage of EBV VCA IgG seropositive samples was 83.6%, and 80.8% in those from urban and 86.2% in those from rural areas. The peak value of EBV infection was 71% seen among children under the age of 3 years, and in urban area the rate was 67.7%, which was lower than that in the rural area (75.3%), and was 82.5% by the age of 6, which was lower than the data (up to 90%) reported 30 years ago. There was a significant difference in EBV infection rate and VCA IgG activities in children at different ages between urban and rural areas (P < 0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
The rate of EBV infection in children living in urban area was lower by the age of 6 years. The primary infection of EBV occurred late in part of children lived in urban area.
Du
Hai-jun
HJ
State Key Laboratory for Infectious Disease Prevention and Control, National Institute for Viral Disease Control and Prevention, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing 100052, China.
Zhou
Ling
L
Liu
Hong-tu
HT
Wang
Qi
Q
Zhan
Shao-bing
SB
Jia
Zhi-yuan
ZY
Mao
Nai-ying
NY
Zeng
Yi
Y
D000293:Adolescent; D000367:Age Factors; D000956:Antigens, Viral / Q000276:immunology; D036022:Capsid Proteins / Q000276:immunology; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D002681:China / Q000453:epidemiology; D002947:Cities / Q000453:epidemiology; D020031:Epstein-Barr Virus Infections / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000276:immunology*; D004854:Herpesvirus 4, Human / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000032:analysis / Q000276:immunology; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D012424:Rural Population / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012698:Serologic Tests
D000956:Antigens, Viral; D036022:Capsid Proteins; C041788:Epstein-Barr viral capsid antigen; D007074:Immunoglobulin G