Pandemic-Driven Shifts in Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV) Epidemiology: Single Center Study.

in Viruses by Maria Eugenia Amarillo, Karen Lindl, Mercedes García Lombardi, Maria Victoria Preciado, Elena De Matteo, Paola Chabay

TLDR

  • This study found a significant decrease in EBV+ children and a corresponding decrease in EBV-associated pediatric cHL post-pandemic, particularly in the NS subtype.
  • The study suggests that older children may have a better ability to control EBV-mediated lymphomagenesis, which could have significant implications for the development of new treatment strategies and prevention approaches.

Abstract

Social distancing, hand hygiene, mask wearing, surface decontamination, travel restrictions, and school closures have been implemented worldwide to control coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). It was reported that the number of EBV infections as well as the age characteristics of infected persons before and after the COVID-19 pandemic significantly decreased in children from China. Since no studies have explored the changes in EBV-associated lymphomas so far, our aim was to explore EBV infection and viral-associated Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) in a pediatric cohort from a single center. A decrease in EBV+ children by serology was proved, in particular, in those undergoing primary infection, along with a significant increase in the mean age of healthy carriers. Furthermore, a decrease in EBV-associated pediatric cHL was observed post-pandemic, particularly in the NS subtype, with a marked decrease in cases diagnosed from 2022 onward. Even though the underlying reasons for the change in incidence rates seen in this study still remain speculative, it could be hypothesized that, after the pandemic, older children have a better ability to control the EBV-mediated lymphomagenesis, based on the fact that the age of infected patients increased.

Overview

  • The study aimed to explore the changes in Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection and associated Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) in a pediatric cohort from a single center before and after the COVID-19 pandemic.
  • The study analyzed the number of EBV infections and age characteristics of infected persons in children from China before and after the COVID-19 pandemic.
  • The study aimed to investigate the changes in EBV-associated pediatric cHL post-pandemic, particularly in the NS subtype.

Comparative Analysis & Findings

  • The study found a significant decrease in EBV+ children, particularly in those undergoing primary infection, from before and after the pandemic.
  • A significant increase in the mean age of healthy carriers was observed, showing that older children have a better ability to control EBV-mediated lymphomagenesis.
  • A decrease in EBV-associated pediatric cHL was observed post-pandemic, particularly in the NS subtype, with a marked decrease in cases diagnosed from 2022 onward.

Implications and Future Directions

  • The study suggests that the underlying reasons for the change in incidence rates seen in this study still remain speculative, and further research is needed to understand the exact mechanisms underlying these changes.
  • Future studies should investigate the effects of the pandemic on EBV infection and associated HL in other populations to confirm these findings.
  • Understanding the changes in EBV infection and associated HL post-pandemic could have significant implications for the development of new treatment strategies and prevention approaches.
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