Age-specific prevalence of Epstein-Barr virus antibodies in adult patients with affective disorders.

It has been suggested that prior Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection is a necessary condition for the development of affective disorders. To address this issue, the authors performed serologic screening for the presence of EBV antibodies in 60 adult patients seen at an affective disorders investigational unit. Six patients with clinically significant mood disorders, all aged 32 years or younger, had no detectable EBV antibodies. The authors conclude that the onset of clinical mood disorders can occur before primary EBV infection; thus, EBV infection is not a necessary condition for the development of mood disorders.