Analysis of the detection of Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV) DNA of specimens
from different sources in Beijing, China
Objective: To explore the positivity of EBV DNA from different
disease departments and different sample types in Beijing, China and to
help clinicians to choose the appropriate specimens for detection.
Methods: A retrospective study was performed on EBV DNA
detection by quantitative real time PCR (qPCR) between 2015 and 2021.
Data from total 5494 samples were collected. According to the results of
EBV DNA detection, the positivity was analyzed by the age, gender, the
types of specimens and different clinical departments respectively.
Results: Of 5494 samples, the positivity detection rate of EBV
DNA was 13.65%. The positivity of EBV DNA in male patient was higher
than that of female patient samples (14.87% vs 12.07%,
p=0.003). The positivity of EBV DNA in adult samples was higher
than that of pediatric samples (14.58% vs 11.71%, p=0.004).
Pediatrics at 3-6 years had the highest EBV DNA positivity rate
(17.77%) among all pediatric samples. Adults aged 40-50 years has the
highest EBV DNA positivity rate (17.50%) among all adult samples.
Pediatrics samples from department of Pediatric Hematology had the
highest EBV DNA positivity rate (36.36%), followed by that of Pediatric
Infection Department (23.23%). Among adult group, the EBV DNA
positivity was detected highest in department of Hematology (26.27%),
followed by department of Dermatology (21.05%). Of all samples, EBV DNA
was detected positively mostly in lymphocyte (48.04%) and respiratory
tract specimens (36.00%), which were much higher than those of serum
samples (5.58%) ( p<0.05). Conclusions: EBV
DNA test should pay more attention in 3-6 years children and 40-50 years
adults, especially patients with hematological diseases. Besides, in
order to improve the detection rate of EBV DNA, specimens such as
lymphocyte and respiratory tract specimens may be collected as a
priority selection according to disease.