Prevalence of Epstein–Barr virus in Japan: Trends and future prediction

Abstract

Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is the causative agent of infectious mononucleosis and some malignancies including EBV-associated-lymphomas. A large portion of adults all over the world are infected with EBV. In children, however, there are geographic variations. Most of the children in Asia and in other developing countries are infected in their early life, before 1 year of age (>90% of 5-9-year-old children are infected), while the age of primary infection is delayed in Western countries (approx. 50% of 5-9-year-old children are infected). The purpose of the present paper was to investigate the recent time trend of the EBV seropositivity among 5-7-year-old children living in Tokyo and its neighboring prefectures. Indirect immunofluorescein study for IgG antibody to viral capsid antigen was performed on 442 archival sera. Before the early 1990s, >80% of 5-7-year-old children were found to be seropositive, while the positivity rate decreased to 59% (P < 0.001) for the years 1995-1999. These results also showed that the delay in the age of primary infection is continuing and that the rate is estimated to be <50% in 2006. This result suggests that the delay will affect the incidence of EBV-associated disorders in Japan.

Seroprevalence of Anti-EBV IgG among Various Age Groups from Khon Kaen Province, Thailand

“…In Japan, this declining trend was also reported. This can most likely be explained by smaller household sizes, better hygiene and increased socioeconomic attainment (Takeuchi et al, 2006). Currently, the patterns of seropositivity rates in Japan are changing from that of an Asian country to that of a Western country.…”

High incidence of post transplant lymphoproliferative disorder after antithymocyte globulin-based conditioning and ineffective prediction by day 28 EBV-specific T lymphocyte counts

“…2 EBV is a g-herpesvirus that is present in 490% adults. 3,4 It is typically clinically silent in immunocompetent individuals. 5 After HCT, when patients are immunocompromised, EBV may reactivate and induce PTLD.…”

Phase I Trial of a CD8+T-Cell Peptide Epitope-Based Vaccine for Infectious Mononucleosis

“…However, this figure may be increasing with improvements in living standards. In the Tokyo region this percentage has recently been estimated to have reached Ϸ50% by 2006 (57). Although ganciclovir has been used in severe cases and in immunocompromised patients (1) and corticosteroids are sometimes used (15), there are currently no treatments recommended for routine use in IM.…”