Serological Profiling of Epstein Barr Virus Among Blood Donors Attending Hajia Gambo Sawaba General Hospital in Zaria, Kaduna, Nigeria

Abstract

Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is a ubiquitous human herpesvirus, and its serological profiling provides important insights into infection stages, immune response, and potential transmission risks. The aim of the research was to determine the serological profile of EBV blood donors attending Hajia Gambo Sawaba General Hospital in Zaria, Nigeria. Ninety (90) blood samples were collected and analyzed for anti-EBV antibodies (VCA-IgM, VCA-IgG, EBNA-IgG) using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Serological analysis showed antibody distributions of 4.4% for VCA-IgM, 90.0% for VCA-IgG, and 91.1% for EBNA-IgG. Based on antibody profiles, infection stages were classified as 8.8% primary infection, 4.4% recent active infection, 76.6% past infection, and 10% not classifiable. Real-time PCR with SYBR green analysis was carried out to confirm the presence of the EBNA-1 gene in recent active infections. PCR analysis confirmed the presence of the EBNA-1 gene in cases identified as recent active infections. The study demonstrates that EBV infection is widely distributed among apparently healthy blood donors in Zaria, with the majority presenting antibody profiles consistent with past infection and a small proportion showing asymptomatic recent infections, posing potential transfusion-related risks.