Investigation of Epstein-Barr virus coinfection and changes in the gene expression of angiotensin converting enzyme II in peripheral blood mononuclear cells in COVID-19 patients

SARS-CoV-2, a respiratory virus, causes a range of symptoms from mild cold-like signs to severe conditions like pneumonia and death. Co-infections, such as with Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV), may exacerbate disease severity. EBV can remain latent in B-cells and cause symptoms including pharyngitis, fatigue, and lymphopenia upon reactivation. Studies indicate that gene expression changes in the renin-angiotensin system, particularly involving angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2), play a role in SARS-CoV-2 infection, and EBV might increase ACE2 expression. This study investigated EBV prevalence in plasma and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of COVID-19 patients using serological (ELISA) and molecular (real-time PCR) methods, while also assessing ACE2 expression levels compared to healthy controls. Blood samples were processed to isolate PBMCs and plasma. Results revealed no IgM antibodies against EBV in plasma and only 2.18 % of PBMCs were EBV-positive, indicating no active EBV infection. ACE2 expression levels in PBMCs showed no significant difference between patients and controls. The study concludes that EBV reactivation is unlikely in these COVID-19 patients and recommends further investigation of ACE2 expression in nasopharyngeal epithelial cells.