Epstein–Barr virus

The Epstein–Barr virus (EBV), also called human herpesvirus 4 (HHV-4), is one of eight viruses in the herpes family. It is one of the most common viruses in humans.

Human gammaherpesvirus 4
Electron microscope image of two Epstein-Barr virus viral particles. It shows round capsids (protein around the genetic material) loosely surrounded by the membrane envelope
Electron micrograph of two Epstein–Barr virions (viral particles).
It shows round capsids loosely surrounded by the membrane envelope
Virus classification e
Unrecognized taxon (fix): Lymphocryptovirus
Species:
Human gammaherpesvirus 4
Synonyms[1]
  • Epstein-Barr virus
  • Human herpesvirus 4
  • HHV-4
  • EBV
  • EPV (rarely used)

EBV is best known as the cause of infectious mononucleosis (glandular fever). It is also associated with some forms of cancer, such as Hodgkin's lymphoma, and conditions associated with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).[2][3] EBV may be associated with a higher risk of certain autoimmune diseases.[4][5][6][7] Some 200,000 cancer cases per year may be caused by (or associated with) EBV.[8]

Infection with EBV occurs by the transfer by mouth (oral transfer) of saliva and genital secretions.[9]

Most people become infected with EBV and gain adaptive immunity. In the United States, about half of all five-year-old children and about 90 percent of adults have evidence of previous infection.[10] Infants become susceptible to EBV as soon as maternal antibody protection disappears. Many children become infected with EBV, and these infections usually cause no symptoms or are just mild, brief illnesses of childhood. In the United States and other developed countries, many people are not infected with EBV in their childhood years. When infection with EBV occurs during adolescence, it causes glandular fever 35 to 50 percent of the time.[11]

EBV infects B cells of the immune system and epithelial cells. Once EBV's initial infection is brought under control, non-active EBV stays in the person's B cells for the rest of their life.[9]

Epstein–Barr Virus Media

References

  1. "ICTV Taxonomy history: Human gammaherpesvirus 4". International Committee on Taxonomy of Viruses (ICTV). Archived from the original on 11 January 2019. Retrieved 10 January 2019.
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  3. Cherry-Peppers G.; et al. (2003). "Oral manifestations in the era of HAART". Journal of the National Medical Association. 95 (2 Suppl 2): 21S–32S. PMC 2568277. PMID 12656429.
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  6. Pender M.P. (2012). "CD8+ T-cell deficiency, Epstein–Barr virus infection, Vitamin D deficiency, and steps to autoimmunity: a unifying hypothesis". Autoimmune Diseases. 2012: 189096. doi:10.1155/2012/189096. PMC 3270541. PMID 22312480.
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  8. "Developing a vaccine for the Epstein-Barr Virus could prevent up to 200,000 cancers globally say experts". Cancer Research UK. 24 March 2014.
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  10. About 90% of adults have antibodies that show that they have a current or past EBV infection. National Center for Infectious Diseases
  11. CDC. "Epstein–Barr virus and infectious mononucleosis". CDC. Retrieved 2011-12-29.