Profile of antibodies against Epstein-Barr virus in patients with blood disorders

The aim of the study was to investigate the profile of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) antibodies and to compare this profile with the detectability of EBV DNA and compare this profile in healthy people with the profile in patients with blood disorders. The profile of antibodies was examined in serum from the following groups: 40 patients with blood disorders, but without EBV DNA in their lymphocytes, 44 patients with blood disorders and EBV DNA in lymphocytes, and 46 healthy people. EBV antibodies were detected by using ELISA commercial kits. The obtained results were analysed by Fisher's exact test. No significant differences in antibody profiles were found between EBV DNA-positive and EBV DNA-negative sera. Between patients and the control group, considerable differences were observed in reactivation and in past infection, and a significant difference was observed in chronic infection. These analyses suggest that EBV reactivation or chronic infection can be related with blood disorders and have an influence on the course of blood disorders.