A meta-analysis of potential relationship between Epstein-Barr-encoded-RNA (EBER) and onset time of post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorders

• Published in: Saudi journal of kidney diseases and transplantation 2015-03, Vol.26 (2), p.232-237
• Main Authors: Amini, Muhsin, Ghamar-Chehreh, Muhammad Ibrahim, Khidmat, Husayn, Karbasi Afshar, Rida, Agah, Shahram
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Analysis; Biomarkers - blood; Complications; Confidence intervals; Epstein-Barr virus; Epstein-Barr Virus Infections - diagnosis; Epstein-Barr Virus Infections - immunology; Epstein-Barr Virus Infections - virology; Genetic aspects; Health aspects; Herpesvirus 4, Human - genetics; Herpesvirus 4, Human - immunology; Herpesvirus 4, Human - pathogenicity; Humans; Infections; Kidney Transplantation - adverse effects; Lymphoproliferative disorders; Lymphoproliferative Disorders - etiology; Lymphoproliferative Disorders - immunology; Lymphoproliferative Disorders - virology; Meta-analysis; Mortality; Odds Ratio; Physiological aspects; Risk Factors; RNA; RNA, Viral - blood; RNA, Viral - genetics; Studies; Time Factors; Transplantation of organs, tissues, etc; Transplants & implants; Treatment Outcome; Tumors; الأمراض; الاضطرابات التكاثرية اللمفية; التشخيص; المضاعفات; زراعة الأنسجة; زرع الأعضاء; فيروس إبشتاين-بار
• ISSN: 1319-2442; 2320-3838
• DOI: 10.4103/1319-2442.152398

Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) encodes two non-polyadenylated RNAs termed EBVencoded RNAs (EBERs). In this study, we tried to find series in which data of EBER and onset time of post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorder (PTLD) for patients have been documented to conduct a meta-analysis. A comprehensive search of the literature was performed by Pubmed and Google scholar to find reports indicating test results for EBER and PTLD onset in transplant patients. PTLD was considered “early onset” when it develops within the first post-transplant year. Finally, 265 patients from 15 studies have been included in the meta-analysis. The overall meta-analysis also showed a significant relation between EBER test positivity and early-onset PTLD development [relative risk (RR) : 1.36 ; 95 % CI : 1.16-1.59 ; P < 0.001]. The i2 index was 49.8 %. Our study suggests that PTLD lesions with positive EBER test are more likely to develop within the early post-transplant period. Since early-onset PTLD is supposed to have better prognosis, having a positive EBER test might not be a bad news. However, for having a precise conclusion, prospective studies are needed to be conducted.