Significance of expression of selected miRNAs in the diagnosis of hepatological complications of Epstein-Barr virus infection in children

Aim of the study:
To assess the expression of selected miRNAs as predictive factors of hepatological complications in Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-infected children.

Material and methods:
This study included 68 children infected with EBV aged 1 to 18 years hospitalised between 01.12.2018 and 31.12.2020 in the Department of Paediatrics, Infectious Diseases and Hepatology. The expression of 5 miRNAs (miR-122-5p, miR-21-3p, miR-34a-5p, miR-26b-5p, miR-199a-5p) was analysed by real-time PCR using the TaqMan Fast Advanced Master Mix kit.

Results:
In the group of EBV-infected children, statistically significantly higher expression for miR-21-3p, miR-122-5p, miR-26b-5p and miR-34a-5p was confirmed. In a group of 54 children diagnosed with hepatitis, along with an increase in alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and g-glutamyl transpeptidase (GGTP) activity, an increase in expression of miR-21-3p, miR-122-5p, miR-26b-5p, miR-34a-5p and miR-199a-5p was observed.

Conclusions:
Increased expression of miR-21-3p, miR-122-5p, miR-26b-5p, miR-34a-5p and miR-199a-5p in EBV-infected children appears to be a risk factor for hepatological complications progressing to biliary pole defects.