Introduction: Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) is a widely used transplant method for different cancerous and non-cancerous conditions, particularly when conventional treatments fail. Again, Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV), one of the major contributors to gastric carcinoma can cause post-transplantation lymphoproliferative disease (PTLD) after transplantations. However, the global prevalence of EBV infection and associated PTLD in HSCT recipients is yet to be determined.
Methods: This research examined 33 studies selected from 941 articles across three databases (i.e. ScienceDirect, PubMed, and Google Scholar) to investigate the global epidemiology of EBV infection and associated PTLD in HSCT patients.
Results: The overall prevalence was calculated primarily as 27.0%; 95% CI: 24.5-29.5, and 23.7%; 95% CI: 19.3-28.3 after removing outlier studies. The analyzed studies were of high quality. Among different continents, North America was determined to have the highest prevalence rate (33.3%; 95%CI: 12.5-54.1) followed by Europe (27.8%; 95%CI: 23.3-32.2), and Asia (20.7%; 95%CI: 17.4-23.9).
Conclusion: This investigation highlights the need for early detection of EBV infection and associated PTLD, personalized treatment strategies, and continued research into the condition's underlying mechanisms. Addressing these aspects can enhance outcomes for HSCT patients and contribute to advancements in transplant medicine.
Registration: PROSPERO (CRD420250583221).
Keywords: EBV; HSCT; PTLD; epidemiology; transplantation.