title: A large-scale seroprevalence of Epstein-Barr virus in Taiwan.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) causes a variety of clinical manifestations from asymptomatic infection to acute infectious mononucleosis in human. Moreover, the EBV infection is associated with malignancies. The large-scale EBV seroepidemiology across all age groups has been lacking in Taiwan.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 1411 serum samples were tested to examine the seroprevalence of EBV in 2007. The samples were collected during an island-wide seroepidemiological survey of vaccine preventable diseases in Taiwan. The enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was performed to detect anti-EBV viral capsid IgG in sera. Demographic and personal health data were obtained by questionnaires.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The overall weighted seropositive rate of EBV was 88.5% (95% CI, 86.7%-90.1%). The seropositive rate of EBV reached 52.8% (95% CI, 44.0%-61.6%) in children aged 2 years, rapidly rose to 88.7% (95% CI, 79.0%-95.1%) in those aged 5-7 years and 93.0% (95%CI, 83.0%-98.1%) for those aged 14-16 years. Age and higher educational level were associated with the increased EBV seropositive rate.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In Taiwan, people had the EBV infection early in life. Children under 7 years should be the primary target popution of public health measures in the future.
authors.affiliation: College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan; Division of Pediatric Infectious Disease, Department of Pediatrics, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taoyuan, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Chao-Yu
authors.initials: CY
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.affiliation: Division of Pediatric Infectious Disease, Department of Pediatrics, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taoyuan, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Kuan-Ying A
authors.initials: KY
authors.lastname: Huang
authors.affiliation: College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan; Division of Pediatric Infectious Disease, Department of Pediatrics, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taoyuan, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Jen-Hsiang
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Shen
authors.affiliation: College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan; Department of Laboratory Medicine, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taoyuan, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Kuo-Chien
authors.initials: KC
authors.lastname: Tsao
authors.affiliation: College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan; Division of Pediatric Infectious Disease, Department of Pediatrics, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taoyuan, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Yhu-Chering
authors.initials: YC
authors.lastname: Huang
mesh_terms: D017668:Age of Onset; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D020031:Epstein-Barr Virus Infections / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000276:immunology / Q000821:virology*; D005260:Female; D004854:Herpesvirus 4, Human / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D016036:Seroepidemiologic Studies; D013624:Taiwan; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology