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Can COVID-19 Reactivate the Epstein-Barr Virus?

Results from a study called Incidence of Epstein-Barr virus reactivation is elevated in COVID-19 patients published in the journal Virus Research explored the link between COVID-19 and the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV). Infection with EBV, a very common herpes virus, causes mononucleosis. Children and adolescents are often most affected, as transmission occurs through kissing or sharing food. Symptoms of mononucleosis include headache, fever, and malaise (feeling generally unwell). Even after symptoms are resolved, EBV can stay in the body by remaining dormant in immune cells.

Researchers in this study compared the incidence of EBV reactivation in COVID-positive patients compared to COVID-negative patients as prior research has indicated that EBV reactivation may be related to COVID severity and length of illness. Blood samples (N=106) were collected from 54 people who tested positive for COVID-19 and 52 people who tested negative for COVID-19, as confirmed by PCR analysis. DNA and immunological assays were performed to evaluate the presence or absence of EBV and associated antibodies.

Results showed COVID-positive patients had a significantly higher incidence of EBV reactivation compared to COVID-negative patients (27.1% vs 12.5%, respectively). Researchers also measured levels of C-reactive protein, a marker of inflammation linked to COVID-19 severity, and did not find any differences between the groups. While over 90% of all patients were positive for previous EBV infection, there were variations in the number of patients positive for related antibodies.

It’s important to note that this study was conducted during the time when the Omicron variant of COVID-19 was most prevalent in the area where patients were evaluated; therefore, these results may not be applicable to prior or more recent COVID-19 variants. Further research may elucidate the potential role of EBV reactivation in contributing to long-term outcomes following COVID-19 infection.

Citation:

Bernal, K. D. E., & Whitehurst, C. B. (2023). Incidence of Epstein-Barr virus reactivation is elevated in COVID-19 patients. Virus research, 334, 199157. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.virusres.2023.199157