ABSTRACT
Objective:To investigate the clinical characteristics and prognosis of Epstein-Barr virus-related diseases in adults.Methods:The clinical data of 59 patients with Epstein-Barr virus-related diseases in Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai from January 2017 to August 2019 were analyzed retrospectively. The clinical manifestations of patients with infectious mononucleosis (IM), chronic active Epstein-Barr virus infection (CAEBV) and lymphoma in patients were compared. Patients were divided into acute course group (IM) and chronic course group (CAEBV+ lymphoma), and the results of labratory indications (blood rontine, liver function, imflammatory indications, Epstein-Barr virus DNA, Epstein-Barr virus antibody and T lymphocyte) were compared between two groups. Statistical analysis was performed by Mann-Whitney U test, chi-square test or Fisher exact probability test. Results:Among the 59 patients, 23 cases (39.0%) were diagnosed with IM, 23 cases (39.0%) were lymphoma and 13 cases (22.0%) were CAEBV. The clinical manifestations of patients with Epstein-Barr virus-related diseases were fever (57/59, 96.6%), lymphadenopathy (37/59, 62.7%) and splenomegaly (36/59, 61.0%). There were 17 patients in the chronic course group experienced hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH). The white blood cell counts, hemoglobin levels and platelet counts of patients in the chronic course group (4.07(1.94, 8.35)×10 9/L, 89.5(74.5, 108.0) g/L and 100(37, 161)×10 9/L, respectively) were all lower than those in the acute course group (9.91(6.75, 17.38)×10 9/L, 132.5(118.2, 152.0) g/L and 197(129, 233)×10 9/L, respectively), with statistically significant differences ( U=3.69, 5.22 and 3.61, respectively, all P<0.01). The levels of procalcitonin, C-reactive protein and serum ferritin in the chronic course group (0.45(0.15, 1.13) μg/L, 47.75(17.57, 84.67) mg/L and 2 000(682, 2 002) μg/L, respectively) were all higher than those in the acute course group (0.12(0.07, 0.28) μg/L, 6.39(3.13, 11.38) mg/L and 482(159, 1 271) μg/L, respectively), with statistically significant differences ( U=-2.95, -3.77 and -4.16, respectively, all P<0.01). The counts of CD4 + T lymphocytes, CD8 + T lymphocytes, CD19 + B lymphocytes and natural killer cells in the chronic course group (259.15(101.98, 509.26), 214.69(119.31, 529.47), 46.14(4.44, 135.87) and 81.09(41.53, 118.46)/μL, respectively) were all lower than those in the acute course group (738.88(592.20, 893.94), 1 609.17(920.88, 3 952.34), 144.52(83.65, 215.14) and 309.82(123.78, 590.68)/μL, respectively), with statistically significant differences ( U=3.66, 3.80, 2.90 and 3.40, respectively, all P<0.01), while the CD4 + /CD8 + T lymphocytes ratio in the chronic course group was higher (0.90(0.60, 1.70) vs 0.45(0.10, 1.28))( U=-2.29, P=0.02). Twenty-three patients with IM were all cured, while 10 patients with lymphoma died and 13 received chemotherapy. Seven patients with CAEBV died and six improved. Conclusions:The clinical characteristics of Epstein-Barr virus-related diseases in adults are fever, lymphadenectasis, splenomegaly.Chronic Epstein-Barr virus infection may be associated with HLH. The prognosis of adults with acute Epstein-Barr virus infection is good, while that of long-term chronic Epstein-Barr virus infection is poor.