Epstein-Barr Virus Associated Disorders

National Institute Of Allergy And Infectious Diseases

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Abstract

Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is the major cause of infectious mononucleosis and is associated with both B cell cancers (Hodgkin lymphoma, Burkitt lymphoma) and epithelial cell cancers (nasopharyngeal carcinoma, gastric carcinoma). The virus typically infects epithelial cells of the oropharynx and B cells circulating in the blood. The virus establishes a latent infection in B cells where it persists for life. An unusual complication of EBV disease is chronic active Epstein-Barr virus disease (CAEBV) which is characterized by high levels of EBV predominantly in T and/or natural killer cells with lymphoproliferation, organ failure due to infiltration of tissues with virus-infected cells, hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis, and/or lymphoma. The disease is more common in Asia than in the United States and Europe. Although allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) is considered the only curative therapy for CAEBV, its efficacy and the best treatment modality to reduce disease severity prior to HSCT is unknown. EBV is also associated with a number of autoimmune diseases including multiple sclerosis and systemic lupus erythematosus. A better understanding of the patheogenesis and better treatments for EBV-associated disease are needed.