Plasma Real Time-Quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction of Epstein-Barr Virus in Immunocompetent Patients with Hepatitis.
10.5223/pghn.2012.15.1.38
- Author:
Ji Hye HONG
1
;
Yon Jung BAE
;
Joon Hyung SOHN
;
Byung Il YE
;
Jin Kyong CHUN
;
Hwang Min KIM
Author Information
1. Department of Pediatrics, Yonsei University Wonju College of Medicine, Wonju, Korea. khm9120@yonsei.ac.kr
- Publication Type:Original Article
- Keywords:
Epstein-Barr virus;
Polymerase chain reaction;
Hepatitis
- MeSH:
Alanine Transaminase;
Aspartate Aminotransferases;
DNA;
Epstein-Barr Virus Infections;
Fever;
Hepatitis;
Herpesvirus 4, Human;
Humans;
Infant;
Liver;
Plasma;
Polymerase Chain Reaction;
Viral Load
- From:Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
2012;15(1):38-43
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
PURPOSE: Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) hepatitis is a usually asymptomatic and self-limiting disease in immunocompetent patients. However, the range of severity is wide, and the serological diagnosis is typically difficult until the convalescent phase. Thus, we examined the value of plasma EBV DNA real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) in EBV hepatitis for the timely diagnosis and the relationship between EBV viral load and clinical severity. METHODS: Sixty samples were confirmed as having EBV infection by RT-qPCR with the EBV BALF5 gene sequence. We examined the clinical characteristics of EBV hepatitis by reviewing medical records. RESULTS: The median total duration of fever was 8 days (range: 0-13 days). The mean peak value of aspartate aminotransferase (AST) was 241+/-214 U/L, and the mean peak value of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) was 298+/-312 U/L. There was no correlation between the serum levels of liver enzyme and plasma EBV DNA titer (p=0.1) or between median total duration of fever and EBV DNA titer (p=0.056). The median age of the EBV VCA IgM-negative group was lower compared with the EBV VCA IgM-positive group in EBV hepatitis (2 years vs. 6 years, p=0.0009). CONCLUSION: The severity of EBV hepatitis does not correlate with circulating EBV DNA load according to our data. Furthermore, we suggest that plasma EBV PCR may be valuable in young infants in whom the results of serology test for EBV infection commonly are negative.
