Detection of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) among thyroid disorders patients using enzyme-linked immunoassay (ELISA) and indirect immunofluorescence assay (IFA) in Mosul city, Iraq

Aims:The study detects EBV among (89) thyroid disorder patients in Mosul city, Iraq over 3 months since the 1st of October 2021.Methodology and results: Serum samples were examined for EBV infection using ELISA and IFA.The results revealed that 60.7% of cases were positive for EBV.Interestingly, the IFA showed that most cases had reactivated EBV infection.However, the results did not show a significant association between the distribution of EBV among thyroid patients and their gender, age and blood groups.The lowest percentage of infection was an inpatient with hypothyroidism, 55.8%.Conclusion, significance and impact of study: Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is one of the most prevalent viruses in the world.It has been linked directly or indirectly with many diseases like cancer and autoimmune.However, the link between EBV and thyroid disorders is still controversial.Our results indicate a possible role of EBV in developing thyroid diseases.However, more studies on a larger scale are required to confirm the results.