Acute Epstein–Barr virus infection: Diagnostic challenge in young children, risk factors for hospitalisation and cytomegalovirus co‐detection

• Published in: Acta Paediatrica Vol. 112; no. 6; pp. 1287 - 1295
• Main Authors: Gutiérrez‐Vélez, Ana, Castro‐Rodríguez, Cristina, Jové‐Blanco, Ana, Aguilera‐Alonso, David, Rincón‐López, Elena María, Hernanz‐Lobo, Alicia, Navarro Gómez, Marisa, Hernández‐Sampelayo, Teresa, Alonso‐Fernández, Roberto, Saavedra‐Lozano, Jesús
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Norway Wiley Subscription Services, Inc 01.06.2023
• Subjects: Age; Antibiotics; Antibodies, Viral; Child; Child, Preschool; Children; CMV; Cytomegalovirus; Cytomegalovirus Infections - complications; Cytomegalovirus Infections - diagnosis; EBV; Enzymes; Epstein-Barr virus; Epstein-Barr Virus Infections - complications; Epstein-Barr Virus Infections - diagnosis; Epstein-Barr Virus Infections - epidemiology; Herpesvirus 4, Human; hospital admission; Hospitalization; Humans; Immunoglobulin M; infection; Infections; Infectious mononucleosis; Liver; Liver Diseases - complications; Lymphadenopathy; Mononucleosis; Multivariate analysis; Retrospective Studies; Risk Factors; EBV; hospital admission; infection; risk factors; children; CMV
• ISSN: 0803-5253; 1651-2227; 1651-2227
• DOI: 10.1111/apa.16760

Aim Acute Epstein–Barr virus (aEBV) and cytomegalovirus (CMV) infections frequently have similar manifestations. We aim to evaluate the characteristics of aEBV infection, risk factors for hospitalisation and differences according to CMV IgM detection (EBV‐CMV co‐detection) in children. Methods Retrospective, single‐centre study including patients <16 years diagnosed with aEBV infection (positive anti‐EBV IgM/Paul‐Bunnell test and acute symptomatology). EBV‐CMV co‐detection was defined as positive CMV IgM. Factors associated with age, hospitalisation and EBV‐CMV co‐detection were analysed in a multivariate analysis. Results A total of 149 patients were included (median age 4.6 years). Most frequent manifestations were fever (77%), cervical lymphadenopathy (64%) and elevated liver enzymes (54%). Younger children had lower rate of positive Paul‐Bunnell test (35% vs. 87%; p < 0.01), but higher rate of EBV‐CMV co‐detection (54% vs. 29%; p = 0.03). These children tended to have less typical symptoms of infectious mononucleosis and higher hospitalisation rate. The overall antibiotic prescription was 49%. Hospitalisation (27 children; 18%) was independently associated with prior antibiotic therapy and anaemia. Sixty‐two cases (42%) had EBV‐CMV co‐detection, which was independently associated with elevated liver enzymes and younger age. Conclusion In this study, younger children with aEBV infection presented more frequently with atypical clinical symptoms, had higher EBV‐CMV co‐detection rates and were more often hospitalised. Hospitalisation was associated with prior antibiotic prescription.