Sero‐epidemiological patterns of epstein‐barr and herpes simplex (HSV‐1 and HSV‐2) viruses in England and Wales

Abstract

The aim was to carry out a population-based sero-prevalence survey of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) across a wide age range in England and Wales and to identify any associations between EBV and herpes simplex virus types one and two (HSV-1 and 2). Sera from an age-stratified sample of 2,893 individuals, submitted for diagnostic purposes to 15 public health laboratories in England and Wales in 1994, were tested for immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibody to EBV. The samples had been tested previously for IgG antibody to HSV-1 and HSV-2. The serological profile of EBV was consistent with an endemic infection with peaks in transmission in those less than 5 years old and in young adults. An age adjusted analysis found a significant association between EBV and HSV-1 seropositivity that is most likely explained by similarities in their mode of transmission. The very low seroprevalence of HSV-2 in this sample complicated the comparisons of EBV and HSV-1 with HSV-2. Any associations were most likely explained by chance. Given the association between EBV and HSV-1, it is likely that recently documented epidemiological changes in HSV-1 also apply to EBV. Continuing surveillance of these herpes viruses is necessary as the predicted changes could have a significant public health impact, especially in the young adult population.

Mannose-Binding Lectin Genotypes and Susceptibility to Epstein-Barr Virus Infection in Infancy

“…EBV seroprevalence was above 50% in children below 1 year of age, comparable to observations in other populations (19,20,28). The majority of these IgG antibodies constitute maternally acquired anti-EBV IgG that disappears during the first 8 months of age (1,24).…”

Seroprevalence of Antibodies against Serogroup C Meningococci in England in the Postvaccination Era

“…This collection has been widely used in epidemiologic studies (see references 6,11,20,31,33, and 34 for examples). One disadvantage of this collection is that in order to preserve anonymity, few details regarding the individuals from whom the sera were collected are available.…”

A novel method of oral fluid collection to monitor immunity to common viral infections

“…5-3 . 0 % [11,12]. Higher precision was required for the 0-4 and 15-19 year age groups which may represent peaks in viral transmission [11][12][13].…”

“…0 % [11,12]. Higher precision was required for the 0-4 and 15-19 year age groups which may represent peaks in viral transmission [11][12][13]. A design effect was incorporated into calculations to take account of the ratio of the variance of prevalence estimates assuming simple random sampling and incorporating the clustered design.…”

“…Recruitment was limited to individuals aged under 45 years, as after that age there are few new infections and little change in the relevant seroprevalence profiles [11,12]. The randomized patient selection and recruitment procedures, finalized after a pilot study [15], are described in Figure 1.…”