Covid-19 Infection Promotes Reactivation of Epstein-Barr Virus

COVID-19, an infectious respiratory illness, is caused by infection with the SARS-CoV-2 virus.  Individuals with underlying medical conditions are at increased risk of developing serious illnesses such as long COVID.  Recent studies have observed Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) reactivation in patients with severe illness or long COVID, which may contribute to associated symptoms.  We determined the frequency of EBV reactivation in COVID-19 positive patients compared to COVID-19 negative patients.  106 blood plasma samples were collected from COVID-19 positive and negative patients and EBV reactivation was determined by detection of EBV DNA and antibodies against EBV lytic genes in individuals with previous EBV infection.  27.1% (13/48) of EBV reactivations, based on qPCR detection of EBV genomes, are from the COVID positive group while only 12.5% (6/48) of reactivations belonged to the negative group.  22/52 (42.30%) of the COVID PCR negative group had detectable antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 N protein; indicative of past COVID-19 infection.  A significantly higher SARS-CoV-2 N protein level was found in the COVID-19 positive group.  In conclusion, COVID-19 infection results in increased reactivation of EBV in comparison to COVID negative patients.