Determinants of Ethnic Differences in Cytomegalovirus, Epstein-Barr Virus, and Herpes Simplex Virus Type 1 Seroprevalence in Childhood

• Published in: The Journal of pediatrics 2016-03, Vol.170, p.126-134.e6
• Main Authors: Jansen, Michelle A.E., MD, van den Heuvel, Diana, PhD, Bouthoorn, Selma H., MD, PhD, Jaddoe, Vincent W.V., MD, PhD, Hooijkaas, Herbert, PhD, Raat, Hein, MD, PhD, Fraaij, Pieter L.A., MD, PhD, van Zelm, Menno C., PhD, Moll, Henriette A., MD, PhD
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adult; Breast Feeding; Child; Cohort Studies; Crowding; Cytomegalovirus Infections - epidemiology; Cytomegalovirus Infections - ethnology; Educational Status; Epstein-Barr Virus Infections - epidemiology; Epstein-Barr Virus Infections - ethnology; Ethnic Groups - statistics & numerical data; Female; Herpes Simplex - epidemiology; Herpes Simplex - ethnology; Herpesvirus 1, Human; Humans; Income; Life Style; Netherlands - epidemiology; Parity; Pediatrics; Pregnancy; Risk Factors; Seroepidemiologic Studies
• ISSN: 0022-3476; 1097-6833
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jpeds.2015.11.014

Objective To identify whether there are ethnic differences in cytomegalovirus (CMV), Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), and herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) seroprevalence rates in children at 6 years of age, and when present, to evaluate how these differences can be explained by sociodemographic and environmental factors. Study design This study was embedded within a multi-ethnic population-based prospective cohort study. Serum IgG levels against CMV, EBV, and HSV-1 were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in 4464 children (median age 6.0 years). Information on demographics and characteristics were assessed by questionnaires. Herpesvirus seroprevalences between Surinamese-Creole, Surinamese-Hindustani, Turkish, Moroccan, Cape Verdean Antillean, and Native Dutch children were compared. Results Non-Western ethnicity was an independent risk factor for CMV (aOR, 2.16; 95% CI 1.81-2.57), EBV (1.76; 1.48-2.09), and HSV-1 seropositivity (1.52; 1.39-1.66). Among the ethnic groups, CMV seroprevalences ranged between 29% and 65%, EBV between 43% and 69%, and HSV-1 between 13% and 39%. Low family net household income, low maternal educational level, crowding, and lifestyle factors explained up to 48% of the ethnic differences in HSV-1 seroprevalences, and up to 39% of the ethnic differences in EBV seroprevalences. These factors did not explain ethnic differences in CMV seroprevalences. Conclusions Socioeconomic position and factors related to lifestyle explain only a part of the large ethnic differences in EBV and HSV-1 seroprevalences, whereas they do not explain ethnic differences in CMV seroprevalences in childhood.