Epstein Barr Virus

Epstein Barr Virus Background

Epstein Barr Virus (EBV) is a double-stranded DNA, enveloped virus, with a large genome encoding 200 proteins. Epstein Barr virus, also known as Herpes virus 4 (HHV4), belongs to the gammaherpesvirinae subgroup of the Herpesvirus family.

EBV is widely distributed and is estimated to affect around 90% of the human population. In developing countries, most children contract EBV infection at an early age. In developed countries, primary EBV infection is more common in adolescents and adults. The Epstein-Barr virus is commonly spread from human-to-human through saliva and other body fluids (CDC).

In most cases, EBV Infection is asymptomatic, but some individuals develop infectious mononucleosis, a condition that is generally self-limiting but can cause prolonged fatigue lasting for several months. After primary EBV infection, the virus remains latent and can re-activate under certain circumstances. In immunocompromised patients, EBV infection is associated with various malignancies, autoimmune disease and other chronic and acute illnesses.

Epstein-Barr virus primarily targets B-lymphocytes but is also reported to infect epithelial cells, T-cells, natural killer cells, smooth muscle cells and monocytes (Hutt-Fletcher, L.M.).