Detection of EBV-DNA in serum samples of an immunosuppressed child during a three years follow-up: association of clinical and PCR data with active infection Detecção de EBV-DNA em amostras de soro de criança imunodeprimida durante três anos de seguimento: associação de dados clínicos e de PCR com a infecção ativa

• Published in: Revista do Instituto de Medicina Tropical de São Paulo
• Main Authors: Thelma Suely Okay, Gilda Maria Barbaro Del Negro, Lídia Yamamoto, Roberto Raiz Júnior
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Universidade de São Paulo (USP) 2005
• Subjects: EBV-PCR; EBV viral load; EBV reactivation; VCA antibodies; Arctic medicine. Tropical medicine; RC955-962; Infectious and parasitic diseases; RC109-216; Arctic
• Online Access: https://doi.org/10.1590/S0036-46652005000200008; https://doaj.org/article/0b8b64e3eb604818a417240c7875f4e1

Twenty-four whole blood and serum samples were drawn from an eight year-old heart transplant child during a 36 months follow-up. EBV serology was positive for VCA-IgM and IgG, and negative for EBNA-IgG at the age of five years old when the child presented with signs and symptoms suggestive of acute infectious mononucleosis. After 14 months, serological parameters were: positive VCA-IgG, EBNA-IgG and negative VCA-IgM. This serological pattern has been maintained since then even during episodes suggestive of EBV reactivation. PCR amplified a specific DNA fragment from the EBV gp220 (detection limit of 100 viral copies). All twenty-four whole blood samples yielded positive results by PCR, while 12 out of 24 serum samples were positive. We aimed at analyzing whether detection of EBV-DNA in serum samples by PCR was associated with overt disease as stated by the need of antiviral treatment and hospitalization. Statistical analysis showed agreement between the two parameters evidenced by the Kappa test (value 0.750; p < 0.001). We concluded that detection of EBV-DNA in serum samples of immunosuppressed patients might be used as a laboratory marker of active EBV disease when a Real-Time PCR or another quantitative method is not available. Vinte e quatro amostras de sangue total e de soro foram colhidas durante seguimento por 36 meses de criança de oito anos de idade, imunodeprimida devido a transplante cardíaco. O paciente apresentou VCA-IgG e IgM positivos e EBNA-IgG negativo aos cinco anos de idade quando foi diagnosticada mononucleose infecciosa. Quatorze meses depois o VCA-IgG e o EBNA-IgG eram positivos e o VCA-IgM negativo. Este padrão sorológico persiste desde aquela época mesmo durante episódios sugestivos de reativação. As amostras de sangue total e de soro foram analisadas pela Reação em Cadeia da Polimerase (PCR) que amplificou fragmento oriundo da gp220 do EBV (detecção de 100 cópias virais). Todas as 24 amostras de sangue total e 12 amostras de soro foram positivas por PCR. Com o objetivo de verificar se ...