Molecular epidemiology and clinical patterns of Epstein–Barr virus infection in Southwestern Saudi Arabia: a 2020–2023 retrospective study

This study establishes the first molecular-based epidemiological analysis of EBV infection in Southwestern Saudi Arabia, revealing distinct demographic and clinical patterns, with predominant pediatric involvement and strong age-related associations. The observed temporal fluctuations, including pandemic-related changes, emphasize the importance of continuous surveillance. These findings indicate the importance of pediatric-focused monitoring, region-specific diagnostic protocols, and further research into ethnic disparities, coinfections, and long-term clinical outcomes. The key limitations of this study include its retrospective design, the absence of systematic evaluation of coinfections (including COVID-19), and the use of data from a single region. To understand the burden of this virus at the national level, further national studies are required.