Epstein-Barr virus latent gene EBNA-1 genetic diversity among transplant patients compared with patients with infectious mononucleosis

Clin Transplant. 2019 Apr;33(4):e13504. doi: 10.1111/ctr.13504. Epub 2019 Apr 1.

Abstract

Introduction: As a step toward evaluating the association between Epstein-Barr virus genetic diversity and post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorder (PTLD), we conducted a preliminary study to compare the genetic diversity of the EBNA-1 gene among transplant patients and patients with infectious mononucleosis (IM).

Methods: We sequenced the EBNA-1 gene in blood samples from study subjects using Sanger methodology. The sequences were aligned with a reference strain and compared with publicly available sequences.

Results: We analyzed 33 study samples and 25 publicly available sequences along with the reference strain B95-8. The evaluable samples were from sixteen patients with IM (median age 14.0 years, range 2-24) and 17 transplant patients. There were six children without PTLD (median age 1.93 years, range 0.79-7.46) and 11 who developed PTLD (median age 5.67 years, range 0.96-17.45). A predominant EBNA-1 variant (P-thr) was identified across the study groups. Differences were observed between the samples from the IM patients compared with the transplant samples.

Conclusion: The predominant EBNA-1 strain is in contrast to reports of the predominant strain in North America. The results suggest differences between the EBNA-1 strains among the study groups. Further studies will examine the relationship between EBNA-1 strains and PTLD occurrence and outcomes.

Keywords: Epstein-Barr virus; genetic diversity; infectious mononucleosis; posttransplant lymphoproliferative disorder.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Canada
  • Case-Control Studies
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Cohort Studies
  • Epstein-Barr Virus Infections / complications*
  • Epstein-Barr Virus Infections / genetics
  • Epstein-Barr Virus Infections / virology
  • Epstein-Barr Virus Nuclear Antigens / genetics*
  • Female
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Genetic Variation*
  • Herpesvirus 4, Human / genetics*
  • Herpesvirus 4, Human / isolation & purification
  • Humans
  • Incidence
  • Infant
  • Infectious Mononucleosis / surgery*
  • Infectious Mononucleosis / virology
  • Lymphoproliferative Disorders / etiology*
  • Lymphoproliferative Disorders / pathology
  • Male
  • Organ Transplantation / adverse effects*
  • Phylogeny
  • Prognosis
  • Risk Factors
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Epstein-Barr Virus Nuclear Antigens
  • EBV-encoded nuclear antigen 1

Associated data

  • GENBANK/V01555

Grants and funding