Chinese Hepatolgy ›› 2025, Vol. 30 ›› Issue (5): 700-704.

• Other Liver Diseases • Previous Articles     Next Articles

Analysis of the association between EBV-specific antibody reactivation and liver function damage in children infected with EBV

WANG Hui, GUO Xin, XIA Ming-qian, LI Chen-xi, CUI Hong-chao   

  1. Department of Infectious Diseases, Beijing Children′s Hospital Affiliated to Capital Medical University, Baoding Hospital, Hebei 071000, China
  • Received:2024-09-12 Online:2025-05-31 Published:2025-07-04

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Abstract: Objective To investigate the clinical data, liver function indicators, and immune markers of children with reactivated EBV-specific antibodies compared to those with primary EBV infections, and to analyze their correlation. Methods From May 2019 to May 2023, 209 children with positive EBV-DNA were admitted to Beijing Children′s Hospital Baoding Hospital, affiliated with Capital Medical University. Based on the results of specific antibody tests, they were divided into two groups: a primary EBV infection group (n=144) and a reactivated EBV infection group (n=65). The clinical data, liver function indicators, and immune markers of the two groups were analyzed. Pearson correlation analysis was employed to assess the association between liver function indicators and immune markers. Results Children in the primary group exhibited a higher incidence of hepatomegaly, splenomegaly, lymphadenitis, and eyelid edema (P<0.05). The reactivation group had a higher incidence of complications in the hematological system, nervous system, and serous effusions (P<0.05). In the reactivated group, ALT levels were 139.22 (range 44.18 to 654.59) compared to 123.64 (range 49.25 to 339.11), AST levels were 148.93 (range 61.57 to 663.85) compared to 98.73 (range 59.50 to 262.66), and DBil levels were 2.87 (range 1.19 to 33.12) compared to 1.85 (range 1.11 to 5.53) in the primary group, all showing statistical significance (P<0.05). For immune markers, CD8+ was lower at 27.85 (range 12.45 to 63.20) compared to 61.72 (range 37.59 to 75.88), CD4/CD8 was 1.07 (range 0.18 to 2.32) compared to 0.25 (range 0.13 to 0.54), and CD20+ was 10.02 (range 1.92 to 31.12) compared to 4.63 (range 1.88 to 10.30) in the primary group, with significant differences (P<0.05). Pearson correlation analysis showed that ALT, AST, and DBil had a negative correlation with CD8+ and a positive correlation with CD4/CD8 and CD20+ (P<0.05). Conclusion Children with reactivated EBV exhibit significant differences in clinical data, liver function, and immune markers, indicating a close association between EBV-specific antibody reactivation, liver function damage, and immune response.

Key words: EBV, Liver function damage, EBV-specific antibodies, Children, Immunity