Epstein-Barr Virus Infection in Children of Hangzhou during strict and optimized COVID-19 Control Periods: Epidemiological Characteristics and Variation Distributions

Authors

• Hao Wang, Department of Clinical Laboratory, Children’s Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, National Clinical Research Center for Children and Adolescents' Health and Diseases, ChinaFollow
• Lin Chen, Department of Clinical Laboratory, Children’s Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, National Clinical Research Center for Children and Adolescents' Health and Diseases, China
• Shuangshuang Huang, Department of Clinical Laboratory, Children’s Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, National Clinical Research Center for Children and Adolescents' Health and Diseases, China
• Zhijian Song, OrigiMed, China
• Chunhong Zhu, Wangjiang Subdistrict Community Healthcare Center, China
• Tong Wang, Department of Clinical Laboratory, Children’s Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, National Clinical Research Center for Children and Adolescents' Health and Diseases, China
• Fengqing Cai, Department of Clinical Laboratory, Children’s Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, National Clinical Research Center for Children and Adolescents' Health and Diseases, China
• Zhaoyang Peng, Department of Clinical Laboratory, Children’s Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, National Clinical Research Center for Children and Adolescents' Health and Diseases, China
• Hongqiang Shen, Department of Clinical Laboratory, Children’s Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, National Clinical Research Center for Children and Adolescents' Health and Diseases, China

Abstract

Objective: Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection is linked to multiple pediatric disorders, and COVID-19 control measures may have modified its epidemiological profiles. This study analyzed EBV infection characteristics and distribution changes among children in Hangzhou before and after the promulgation of the ‘10 prevention and control measures,’ comparing the strict (2022) and relaxed (2023) pandemic periods. Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted on 38,086 children with suspected EBV-related diseases who underwent EBV serological antibody testing via chemiluminescence immunoassay at Children's Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine between January 2022 and December 2023. The percentages and distributions of Seropositive across years, age groups, and months were statistically analyzed. Results: The number of tested children in 2023 was significantly higher than in 2022, with 3-6 y as the predominant group. Primary infection and EBV reactivation increased by 41% and 47%, respectively, in 2023 compared with 2022. Seropositive rates rose with age, ranging from 18.62% (6-12 m) to 90.64% (>9 y). Notably, the number of Seropositive (Primary infection, Past infection and EBV reactivation) from February to December 2023 was significantly higher than in the corresponding period of 2022. Conclusion: Our findings confirm that adjustments to COVID-19 control policies exerted a measurable impact on the epidemiology of EBV infection in children in Hangzhou.

Recommended Citation

Wang, Hao; Chen, Lin; Huang, Shuangshuang; Song, Zhijian; Zhu, Chunhong; Wang, Tong; Cai, Fengqing; Peng, Zhaoyang; and Shen, Hongqiang (2026) "Epstein-Barr Virus Infection in Children of Hangzhou during strict and optimized COVID-19 Control Periods: Epidemiological Characteristics and Variation Distributions," Journal of Pediatric Infectious Diseases: Vol. 21: Iss. 3, Article 4.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.53391/1305-7707.1068
Available at: https://jpid.researchcommons.org/journal/vol21/iss3/4