Prevalence of Epstein-Barr Virus in a population of patients with inflammatory bowel disease: a prospective cohort study.
BACKGROUND
The Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV) is truly prolific, with a prevalence of more than 90% in the adult human population. There are, however, little data available on the prevalence of EBV among patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD), a population that is frequently immunosuppressed and thus at risk for severe, often fatal, primary infection.


OBJECTIVE
To identify the prevalence of EBV in a population of patients with IBD and to compare it with that of the general population.


METHODS
A database of 2500 IBD patients previously followed at the University of Alberta IBD Centre was queried; 60 of these patients were randomly chosen to participate. A total of 220 patients attending the IBD Centre for clinical appointment were also prospectively asked to participate. Participants completed serological testing for VCA-IgM, VCA-IgG and EBNA-IgG, to determine prior EBV exposure.


RESULTS
A total of 263 patients underwent testing. Results for EBV seroprevalence of specific age groups were as follows: 18-20 years (n = 17), 29% seronegative; 21-25 years (n = 31), 29% seronegative; 26-30 years (n = 35), 31-35 years (n = 18) and 36-40 years (n = 25), 100% seropositive. Finally, 3% of those older than 40 (n = 117) were seronegative. EBV seroprevalence was similar for Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis. Azathioprine was associated with seropositivity (P = 0.048).


CONCLUSIONS
The prevalence of EBV seronegativity in the IBD population aged 18-25 years was similar to that described in the general population, and above age 25 years, seropositivity approached 100%.
Division of Gastroenterology, Centre of Excellence for Gastrointestinal Inflammation and Immunity Research, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada.
M S
MS
Linton
K
K
Kroeker
D
D
Fedorak
L
L
Dieleman
R N
RN
Fedorak
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D000368:Aged; D000956:Antigens, Viral / Q000276:immunology; D001379:Azathioprine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003093:Colitis, Ulcerative / Q000821:virology*; D003424:Crohn Disease / Q000821:virology*; D020031:Epstein-Barr Virus Infections / Q000453:epidemiology*; D005260:Female; D004854:Herpesvirus 4, Human / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D006801:Humans; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000097:blood; D007075:Immunoglobulin M / Q000097:blood; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D011446:Prospective Studies; D055815:Young Adult
D000956:Antigens, Viral; D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D007075:Immunoglobulin M; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D001379:Azathioprine