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Publication Details
AFRICAN RESEARCH NEXUS
SHINING A SPOTLIGHT ON AFRICAN RESEARCH
biochemistry, genetics and molecular biology
Primary epstein‐barr virus infections in African infants. II. Clinical and serological observations during seroconversion
International Journal of Cancer, Volume 22, No. 3, Year 1978
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Description
Of 27 Ghanaian infants examined monthly for the first 15 months of life and once more at 21 months, 12 acquired primary Epstein‐Barr virus (EBV) infections by the age of 1 year and 9 others seroconverted during the subsequent period of observation. The seroconversions were not accompanied by significant clinical or physical signs of illness and in none of the infants was a diagnosis of infectious mononucleosis (IM) suspected on the basis of hematologic observations. The 12 early seroconverters, providing the most extensive follow‐up data, showed transient IgM antibody responses to EB viral capsid antigen (VCA) which in some cases initially exceeded the corresponding IgG antibodies in titer. Peak VCA‐specific IgG titers were noted 2 months after seroconversion and were comparable to those seen in IM. Most of the infants developed antibodies to the EBV‐induced early antigen complex which were directed, however, against the R (restricted) component, as observed in Burkitt's lymphoma, and not against the D (diffuse) component, as noted in IM. Low titers of VCA‐specific IgA antibodies emerged in five of the cases. Usually, EBV‐neutralizing antibodies were already present in the first anti‐VCA‐positive serum but antibodies to the EBV‐associated nuclear antigen (EBNA) and antibody‐dependent cell‐mediated cytolysis (ADCC) became detectable only months after seroconversion. No heterophil antibody responses, or at most barely significant ones, were recorded. Attempts to demonstrate EBV in throat swab specimens met with limited success, suggesting a low degree of viral excretion during silent seroconversions. Possible explanations for the differences between clinical, hematologic and serologic responses to primary EBV infections in infancy and later in life are discussed. Copyright © 1978 Wiley‐Liss, Inc., A Wiley Company
Authors & Co-Authors
Biggar, Robert John
Ghana, Accra
University of Ghana
United States, Rockville
National Cancer Institute Nci
Henle, Gertrude E.
United States, Philadelphia
University of Pennsylvania
Böcker, Jörg F.
United States, Philadelphia
University of Pennsylvania
Lennette, Evelyne T.
United States, Philadelphia
University of Pennsylvania
Fleisher, Gary R.
United States, Philadelphia
University of Pennsylvania
Henle, Werner
United States, Philadelphia
University of Pennsylvania
Statistics
Citations: 126
Authors: 6
Affiliations: 3
Identifiers
Doi:
10.1002/ijc.2910220305
ISSN:
00207136
e-ISSN:
10970215
Research Areas
Cancer