Seroprevalence of EBV antibodies in children with acute lym‌phoblastic leukemia

Background: Epstein Barr virus (EBV) has a unique association with several human malignancies, especially lymphoproliferative disorders. Objective: The aim of the present study was to estimate the levels of EBV serum antibodies in children with ALL. Material and Methods: Thirty-one children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia who were attending Nanakali oncology -hematology department in Erbil City. were subjected for antibody detection of Epstein-Barr (EBV) virus with age ranged (2-12) years. A second group comprised of 30 children with non-malignant condition age ranged (2-12) years regarded as control group. Both groups were tested for Epstein-Barr virus antibodies assays (EBV-VCA (IgG, IgM), EBV-EA (IgG, and IgM) by enzyme -linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Results: Regarding the patient groups (ALL) twenty-five (25;80.7%) patients had raised antibody levels while in the control healthy group, thirteen (13;43.3%) child had raised antibody levels. Regarding the patients group the numbers and percentages of VCA-IgM (4;12.9%), VCA IgG (12;38.7%), EA IgM (3;9.8%), and EA IgG (6;19.4%) were higher when compared with the control group. The mean values of EBV (VCA IgG) in ALL group increase in a highly significant manner (p0.01) when compared with the control group, While no significant difference between ALL and control in the mean values of VCA IgM. There was a significant increase in the mean of EA IgG in ALL than in control group (p0.05), whereas, no significant differences were noticed in EA IgM between the two groups. Conclusion: The current study shows evidence of active EBV replication in a significant number of Acute ALL patients. Keywords: Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), Epstein - Barr virus (EBV), early antigen (EA), viral capsid antigen (VCA).