EBV Seroepidemiology in Married and Unmarried Women and Men in Iran

Background: Among the eight known human herpes viruses, Epstein- Barr virus (EBV) is considered to be sexually transmissible. This study was conducted to evaluate the seroepidemiology of this infection in married and unmarried Iranian couples. Methods: In this comparative observational and cross-sectional study, ۱۶۰ men and women were divided into married and unmarried groups. Serum IgG and IgM antibodies to the EBV viral capsid antigen were analyzed by Enzyme-linked Immunosorbent Assays (ELISAs). Results: In this study ۷۸ men and ۸۲ women were enrolled. Ninety percent of the married and ۷۶.۲% of the unmarried women were anti-EBV IgG positive (P = ۰.۰۸), while ۸۰% of the married and ۹۴% of the unmarried men were antiEBV IgG positive (P = ۰.۰۵۲). Conclusion: Seroepidemiology of EBV is not significantly different in married vs. unmarried women and men in Iran; therefore, sexual contact may not be the primary mechanism of EBV transmission in Iran and other developing countries. Attention to other possible routes of transmission is recommended.

Keywords:

Anti-VCA , Epstein Barr Virus , Sexual contact