Investigation of Epstein-Barr Virus Antibodies

Mustafa Behçet; Ayça Çisem Harre; Fatma Avcıoğlu; Elif Soysal; Sare Aybek; Hakan Burak Çelik; Yusuf Afşar

doi:10.47493/abantmedj.1787231

Investigation of Epstein-Barr Virus Antibodies

Abstract

Objective: Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), also known as human herpesvirus 4 (HHV-4), causes mononucleosis in 30-50% of adolescents and adults. As EBV is an oncogenic virus and is responsible for the etiology of many idiopathic diseases, determining the seroprevalence of EBV antibodies in the community is important for identifying individuals at risk. This study aimed to investigate the frequency of EBV-specific VCA-IgM, VCA-IgG, and EBNA-1 IgG antibodies and atypical antibody profiles in patients of different ages with suspected EBV infection. Materials and Methods: Serological test results (VCA-IgM, VCA-IgG and EBNA-1 IgG) of serum samples of patients with suspected of having EBV between 2021 and 2023 EBV were retrospectively examined and evaluated. These tests were conducted using the chemilumin escence immunoassay (CLIA) method with an Architect i2000SR analyser (Architect, Abbott). Results: A total of 3,248 serum samples (49.6% male and 50.5% female) were evaluated. Seronegativity was found in 8% of patients, acute infection in 1.3%, past infection in 83.2%, and an atypical serological profile in 7.6%. Seronegativity and acute infections were more prevalent in the 1–18 age group, whereas past infections were more prevalent in the 41–70 age group. The prevalence of atypical serological profiles was found to be 7.5%. Conclusion: In conclusion, the rate of exposure to EBV in this study was 92%, and the rate of atypical serological profiles was 7.5%. These rates are consistent with those observed in previous studies conducted in our country. Given the proportion of patients with atypical profiles, it would be appropriate to minimise problems in clinical interpretation by conducting serological follow-up and additional testing.

Keywords

Supporting Institution

This study was presented as an oral presentation at the 1st International Congress of Microbiology and Pediatrics (15-18 May 2024, Bolu).

Ethical Statement

Non-Interventional Clinical Research Ethics Committee of Bolu Abant Izzet Baysal University (date: 16.04.2024 and approval number: 2024/89)

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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Infectious Agents

Journal Section

Research Article

Authors

Mustafa Behçet ^*
0000-0002-5676-6983
Türkiye

Ayça Çisem Harre
0009-0001-7708-8974
Türkiye

Fatma Avcıoğlu
0000-0002-6011-7775
Türkiye

Elif Soysal
0009-0007-4752-680X
Türkiye

Sare Aybek
0009-0004-6205-1513
Türkiye

Hakan Burak Çelik
0009-0008-9145-7191
Türkiye

Yusuf Afşar
0000-0003-3316-6318
Türkiye

Publication Date

April 30, 2026

Submission Date

September 22, 2025

Acceptance Date

March 3, 2026

Published in Issue

Year 2026 Volume: 15 Number: 1

DOI

https://doi.org/10.47493/abantmedj.1787231

IZ

https://izlik.org/JA85FY68CP

Cite

RIS / Bibtex

APA

Behçet, M., Harre, A. Ç., Avcıoğlu, F., Soysal, E., Aybek, S., Çelik, H. B., & Afşar, Y. (2026). Investigation of Epstein-Barr Virus Antibodies. Abant Medical Journal, 15(1), 38-44. https://doi.org/10.47493/abantmedj.1787231

AMA

1.Behçet M, Harre AÇ, Avcıoğlu F, et al. Investigation of Epstein-Barr Virus Antibodies. Abant Med J. 2026;15(1):38-44. doi:10.47493/abantmedj.1787231

Chicago

Behçet, Mustafa, Ayça Çisem Harre, Fatma Avcıoğlu, et al. 2026. “Investigation of Epstein-Barr Virus Antibodies”. Abant Medical Journal 15 (1): 38-44. https://doi.org/10.47493/abantmedj.1787231.

EndNote

Behçet M, Harre AÇ, Avcıoğlu F, Soysal E, Aybek S, Çelik HB, Afşar Y (April 1, 2026) Investigation of Epstein-Barr Virus Antibodies. Abant Medical Journal 15 1 38–44.

IEEE

[1]M. Behçet et al., “Investigation of Epstein-Barr Virus Antibodies”, Abant Med J, vol. 15, no. 1, pp. 38–44, Apr. 2026, doi: 10.47493/abantmedj.1787231.

ISNAD

Behçet, Mustafa - Harre, Ayça Çisem - Avcıoğlu, Fatma - Soysal, Elif - Aybek, Sare - Çelik, Hakan Burak - Afşar, Yusuf. “Investigation of Epstein-Barr Virus Antibodies”. Abant Medical Journal 15/1 (April 1, 2026): 38-44. https://doi.org/10.47493/abantmedj.1787231.

JAMA

1.Behçet M, Harre AÇ, Avcıoğlu F, Soysal E, Aybek S, Çelik HB, Afşar Y. Investigation of Epstein-Barr Virus Antibodies. Abant Med J. 2026;15:38–44.

MLA

Behçet, Mustafa, et al. “Investigation of Epstein-Barr Virus Antibodies”. Abant Medical Journal, vol. 15, no. 1, Apr. 2026, pp. 38-44, doi:10.47493/abantmedj.1787231.

Vancouver

1.Mustafa Behçet, Ayça Çisem Harre, Fatma Avcıoğlu, Elif Soysal, Sare Aybek, Hakan Burak Çelik, Yusuf Afşar. Investigation of Epstein-Barr Virus Antibodies. Abant Med J. 2026 Apr. 1;15(1):38-44. doi:10.47493/abantmedj.1787231