title: The incidence of epstein-barr virus primary infection among suspected patients referred to namazi hospital of shiraz, iran.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Many children become infected with Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) during their childhood. Since the clinical profile of EBV primary infection is challenging, it is important to use the best diagnostic clinical means. Detection of IgM against viral capsid antigen (VCA) by ELISA has been shown to be a reliable method.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  This study was conducted to demonstrate the incidence of EBV primary infection, among suspected patients referred to Namazi hospital, Shiraz, Iran.
  
  
  METHODS
  The sample included 346 patients with an age range of 0 to 20 years (6.31 ± 4.66: 10.97 years). A volume of 5 mL of blood was collected from each case. The patients were divided to four age groups. The sera were tested for the presence of VCA-IgM by commercially available Anti-EBV-VCA ELISA kit.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The results indicated that 104 (30.0%) of the patients were EBV VCA IgM positive, with no significant difference in the incidence of EBV primary infection between males and females. However, the incidence of infection was significantly different between age group I (0 - 5 years) and III (11 - 15 years), and also between age group I (0 - 5 years) and IV (16 - 20 years) (P < 0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Considering the results, accurate and on time diagnosis of EBV primary infection in both children and adolescents will help prevent unnecessary hospitalization, medication and incorrect medical decisions. In addition, this will decrease further treatment costs and related medical procedures.
authors.affiliation: Microbiology Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, IR Iran.
authors.forename: Mahsa
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Moeini
authors.affiliation: Microbiology Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, IR Iran.
authors.forename: Mazyar
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ziyaeyan
authors.affiliation: Microbiology Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, IR Iran.
authors.forename: Sadaf
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Asaei
authors.affiliation: Microbiology Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, IR Iran ; Student Research Committee, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, IR Iran.
authors.forename: Mohammad Amin
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Behzadi
keywords: Epidemiology; Epstein-Barr virus; IgM; Incidence