The Impact of Acute EBV Infection on Changes in the Serum Proteome in Children—A Pilot Study

Abstract

This study investigates the impact of Epstein–Barr virus (EBV) infection on children’s proteomes across different phases of the disease, utilising seventy-nine blood samples categorised into three groups: EBV-naive patients, acute infectious mononucleosis (IM) cases, and convalescents followed up for 12 months post-IM. The aim is to identify proteins influenced by EBV infection, shedding light on the chronic processes triggered by the virus. The results reveal thirty-nine proteins distinguishing between naive patients and those with IM, including actin, lumican, peroxiredoxin-2, fibulin-1, gelsolin, and alpha-2-macroglobulin, which are involved in immune responses, cell adhesion, and inflammation. Elevated oxidative stress markers like peroxiredoxin-2 in IM patients suggest potential links to EBV’s induction of reactive oxygen species. Increased levels of apolipoproteins A-I, A-IV, C-IV, and M during IM imply associations with viral infection, while complement system proteins (C1q, C1r, and C8 gamma chain) are also elevated, reflecting their role in the immune response and viral clearance. This study’s focus on children provides unique insights into EBV’s impact on young populations, emphasising proteomics’ role in uncovering protein associations and understanding the virus’s long-term consequences. However, specific relationships between identified proteins and EBV infection require further investigation.