Evaluation of Platelet Parameters in Children with Primary Epstein-Barr Virus Infection

Abstract

Aim: Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is a subgroup of the human herpesvirus family that causes lifelong infection and several types of cancer. Primary infection of EBV is asymptomatic or associated with nonspecific, mild symptoms in children. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether the platelet parameters, platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR), and neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) were affected by the inflammatory process in children with primary EBV infection. Material and Method: Forty-four patients with primary EBV infection and 66 healthy patients were included in our study. Demographic data and laboratory parameters of participants were recorded. Statistical analyses were performed using the SPSS 22.0 software program. Student's t-test, Mann-Whitney U test, and Chi-Square tests were used for evaluation of the qualitative and quantitative values. The values of p<0.05 were considered statistically significant. Results: The mean platelet count, mean platelet volume (MPV) level, albumin level, and PLR in the study group were statistically significantly lower than in the control group (p values 0.028, 0.002, 0.012, and <0.001, respectively). The mean uric acid level and platelet distribution width (PDW) levels in the study group were statistically significantly higher than in the control group (p values 0.007, and <0.001, respectively). Discussion: Our study is important in terms of showing that platelet count and platelet parameters are impacted by primary EBV infections. EBV should be one of the first conditions considered in infections in which platelet parameters are affected. Future prospective studies are needed to explain the role of platelet parameters in EBV infections.