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Journal of Tropical Pediatrics 1985 31(4):209-212; doi:10.1093/tropej/31.4.209
© 1985 by Oxford University Press
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Epstein-Barr Virus Serology and Malaria Exposure in a Small Group of Liberian Children with Splenomegaly

Douglas E. Roberts and Elaine Quincey

Department of Internal Medicine, University of California, Irvine Medical Center 101 City Drive South, Orange, California 93668, USA

A preliminary survey of 8 Liberian children with asymptomatic splenomegaly was conducted to identify the frequency with which two risk factors associated with the development of Burkitt's lymphoma appeared. These risk factors include a high antibody titer to Epstein-Barr virus capsid antigens and serological evidence of chronic exposure to malaria.

Anti-VCA antibody titers were found to be present at high levels in seven of eight patients studied. Geometric mean titers were comparable to those levels found in the sera of 14 children who subsequently developed Burkitt's lymphoma.

Highly elevated titers of IgG-specific antibody to Plasmodium falciparum were present in each patient surveyed.

The present study demonstrates: (1) Elevated anti- VCA antibody titers in the group chosen for study, (2) chronic exposure to holoendemic malaria. This study has demonstrated a high frequency of elevated anti-VCA antibody and elevated anti-malaria antibody in a small group of Liberian children selected on the basis of having asymptomatic splenomegaly. The subgroup identified in this study may represent a selected population at high risk for the development of Burkitt's lymphoma. Prospective study of a similarly selected population may further our insight intothe etiology of this disease.


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