Epstein–Barr Virus Common and Rare complications in Iraq: Review Paper

Background: Epstein–Barr Virus (EBV) is a highly ubiquitous herpesvirus found globally, it is associated to both a wide range of condition including common, pervasive infections and severe, rare diseases. In Iraq, despite a significant increased incident of chronic illnesses and viral- related malignancies, the local overview of EBV-associated complications remains fragmented. Aim: This review synthesizes the current available Iraqi literature to delineate the dual nature of EBV’s impact, distinguishing between common epidemiological manifestations and its role in severe clinical complications in local cohorts. Key Findings: high seroprevalence (~80%) of EBV in healthy Iraqi population, with noteworthy association observed in autoimmune diseases including Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) and Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD). Severe complications included a DNA viremia in renal transplant and chronic kidney disease cohorts with about (33-36 %), and regional cancer patterns such as nasopharyngeal carcinoma in Anbar (west of Iraq) and Burkitt’s lymphoma in Kurdistan (north of Iraq),the prevalence is almost similar to the reported data from the neighboring regions. Conclusion: EBV in Iraq presents a dual public health challenge, encompassing both a common endemic presence and the risk of rare but severe, life-threatening complications, particularly in immunocompromised patients. These distinct patterns necessitate targeted surveillance and stratified clinical interventions.