Epstein–Barr virus

Updated : December 1, 2023

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  • The epidemiology of EBV is the study of the distribution and determinants of EBV infection and its associated diseases in human populations. EBV is a widespread virus that infects over 90% of the world’s population. EBV is transmitted through oral and genital secretions and can cause infectious mononucleosis (IM), a syndrome characterized by a high temperature, a painful throat, and enlarged lymph nodes. EBV is also associated with various cancers, such as Burkitt’s lymphoma, Hodgkin’s lymphoma, nasopharyngeal carcinoma, gastric cancer, and autoimmune illnesses like multiple sclerosis. 
  • The epidemiology of EBV varies by geographic region, age, sex, ethnicity, and socioeconomic status. In developing countries, most people are infected with EBV in early childhood and are asymptomatic or have mild symptoms. In developed countries, many people are only infected with EBV in adolescence or young adulthood and have a higher risk of developing IM. The incidence of IM has increased in the United Kingdom over the past decade. EBV seropositivity is higher in females than males during adolescence.   
  • White ethnicity, lower body mass index, and never-smoking are associated with an increased risk of IM. EBV infection is also influenced by genetic factors, such as human leukocyte antigen (HLA) types and polymorphisms in the viral genes. There are two main genotypes of EBV, type 1 and type 2, distinguished by the differences in the EBNA-2 gene. Further subtyping can be done by analyzing the variation in the LMP-1 gene, which is an oncogene that modulates cell growth and survival. 
  • Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), formerly known as Humans herpesvirus 4 (HHV-4), is a kind of herpesvirus is herpesvirus that is one of the most frequent human viruses. Here’s an overview of its classification and structure:
  • Classification:
  • Kingdom: Heunggongvirae
  • Phylum: Peploviricota
  • Class: Herviviricetes
  • Order: Herpesvirales
  • Family: Herpesviridae
  • Genus: Lymphocryptovirus
  • Species: Epstein–Barr virus
  • Structure:
  • Virion: The infectious form of EBV is called a virion. It is composed of a nucleocapsid surrounded by an envelope.
  • Envelope: The envelope is derived from the host cell membrane and contains viral glycoproteins important for viral entry and immune evasion.
  • Capsid: The nucleocapsid is an icosahedral structure comprising capsid proteins enclosing the viral genome.
  • Genome: The EBV genome is a linear, double-stranded DNA molecule. It is approximately 172 kilobase pairs (kbp) in length and contains around 85 genes.
  • Proteins: EBV encodes numerous proteins involved in various stages of the viral life cycle, immune evasion, and modulation of host cell functions. Some essential proteins include viral capsid antigens (VCA), viral membrane antigens (MA), Epstein-Barr nuclear antigens (EBNAs), and latent membrane proteins (LMPs).
  • It is associated with various diseases, such as infectious mononucleosis, Burkitt’s lymphoma, and nasopharyngeal carcinoma. 
  • EBV has two major antigenic types: EBV-1 and EBV-2 (A and B). They differ in the sequence of the genes that code for the EBV nuclear antigens (EBNA-2, EBNA-3A/3, EBNA-3B/4, and EBNA-3C/6). These antigens are expressed during latent infection of B cells and are targets of the host immune response. 
  • EBV antigens can also be detected in some tumors, such as nasopharyngeal carcinoma and NK-cell lymphoma. The distribution of EBV types varies geographically and may be related to different disease outcomes. 
  • Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is a kind of human herpes virus that infects B and epithelial cells. It can cause infectious mononucleosis and is associated with various cancers and autoimmune diseases. The pathogenesis of EBV involves a cycle of infection and latency in different stages of B cell differentiation. EBV can enter the B cell through the CD21 receptor and activate it to increase and express all nine latent proteins (the growth program). 
  • The infected B cell then enters the germinal center, where it undergoes somatic hypermutation and class switch recombination and expresses only three latent proteins (the default program). The germinal center B cell can exit as a memory B or a plasma cell, expressing only one latent protein (the latency program). The memory B cell can occasionally reactivate the virus and produce infectious particles that can infect new B cells or epithelial cells. 
  • The epithelial cells can also amplify and shed the virus into the saliva or genital secretions. The immune system can control the infection by recognizing and eliminating the infected cells, but some cells may escape and give rise to lymphomas or other diseases. 

Host defenses against Epstein–Barr virus (EBV) infection involve innate and adaptive immunity. Innate immunity is the first-line antiviral defense, which EBV must evade in favor of its replication and infection. 

Some of the innate immune mechanisms that can recognize and respond to EBV infection are: 

  • Pattern recognition receptors (PRRs), such as Toll-like receptors (TLRs), RIG-I-like receptors (RLRs), NOD-like receptors (NLRs), and AIM2-like receptors (ALRs), that can sense viral components and trigger signaling pathways that lead to the production of type I interferons (IFNs) and other inflammatory cytokines.   
  • Natural killer cells, NK cells, are lymphocytes with cytotoxic properties that attack cancer cells. 
  • It can kill infected or transformed cells by releasing perforin and granzymes or engaging death receptors. NK cells can also secrete IFN-γ and other cytokines that activate macrophages and dendritic cells.   
  • Macrophages and dendritic cells, which are antigen-presenting cells that can phagocytose and degrade viral particles, secrete cytokines and chemokines that recruit and activate other immune cells and present viral antigens to T cells via major histocompatibility complex (MHC) molecules.   

 However, EBV has developed various strategies to evade or modulate the innate immune response of its host, such as: 

  • Encoding viral proteins that can interfere with PRR signaling, IFN production or response, NK cell activation or recognition, complement activation, or antigen presentation.   
  • Expressing viral microRNAs that can target host genes involved in innate immunity, such as PRRs, IFN-stimulated genes, cytokines, chemokines, or apoptosis regulators.   
  • Establishing latency in B cells, where the virus expresses a limited set of viral genes that can avoid detection by PRRs or NK cells, modulate cytokine secretion or response, or induce immune tolerance. 

 

The Epstein-Barr virus can cause various diseases, such as Infectious mononucleosis (commonly known as mono or kissing illness) is a kind of infectious mononucleosis, lymphoma, and nasopharyngeal cancer.   

Some of the symptoms of EBV infection include: 

  • Fever 
  • Painful sore throat 
  • Swollen lymph nodes in the neck 
  • Enlarged spleen and liver. 
  • Loss of appetite 
  • Fatigue and weakness 
  • Headache 
  • Rashes on the skin     

However, some people may have no symptoms or mild symptoms like the flu. There is no specific treatment for EBV infection. Medications such as painkillers, antivirals, or corticosteroids may be prescribed to manage some symptoms.

Self-care measures include: 

  • Drinking plenty of fluids. 
  • Getting adequate rest. 
  • Avoid contact with infected persons. 
  • Eating foods rich in anti-inflammatory and antiviral properties. 

 

  • EBV infection can be diagnosed by a blood test that detects antibodies to the virus. Antibodies are proteins generated by your immune system.  
  • Battle disease infections. Approximately 90% of persons carry antibodies indicating a current or previous EBV infection. 
  • However, diagnosing EBV infection can be challenging because the symptoms are like other illnesses. Sometimes, other tests may be needed to rule out other causes of your symptoms, such as a complete blood count (CBC) or a throat culture.  

Control According to the CDC, no vaccine protects Against EBV infection. You can safeguard yourself by avoiding kissing or sharing beverages, food, or personal things with persons with EBV infection, such as toothbrushes. You can also use protection when having sex with someone with the virus.  

EBV does not have a particular therapy. However, several things may be done to assist in alleviating symptoms, such as:   

  • Drinking fluids to stay hydrated.  
  • Getting plenty of rest.  
  • Taking over-the-counter medications for pain and fever 
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Epstein–Barr virus

Updated : December 1, 2023

Mail Whatsapp PDF Image



  • The epidemiology of EBV is the study of the distribution and determinants of EBV infection and its associated diseases in human populations. EBV is a widespread virus that infects over 90% of the world’s population. EBV is transmitted through oral and genital secretions and can cause infectious mononucleosis (IM), a syndrome characterized by a high temperature, a painful throat, and enlarged lymph nodes. EBV is also associated with various cancers, such as Burkitt’s lymphoma, Hodgkin’s lymphoma, nasopharyngeal carcinoma, gastric cancer, and autoimmune illnesses like multiple sclerosis. 
  • The epidemiology of EBV varies by geographic region, age, sex, ethnicity, and socioeconomic status. In developing countries, most people are infected with EBV in early childhood and are asymptomatic or have mild symptoms. In developed countries, many people are only infected with EBV in adolescence or young adulthood and have a higher risk of developing IM. The incidence of IM has increased in the United Kingdom over the past decade. EBV seropositivity is higher in females than males during adolescence.   
  • White ethnicity, lower body mass index, and never-smoking are associated with an increased risk of IM. EBV infection is also influenced by genetic factors, such as human leukocyte antigen (HLA) types and polymorphisms in the viral genes. There are two main genotypes of EBV, type 1 and type 2, distinguished by the differences in the EBNA-2 gene. Further subtyping can be done by analyzing the variation in the LMP-1 gene, which is an oncogene that modulates cell growth and survival. 
  • Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), formerly known as Humans herpesvirus 4 (HHV-4), is a kind of herpesvirus is herpesvirus that is one of the most frequent human viruses. Here’s an overview of its classification and structure:
  • Classification:
  • Kingdom: Heunggongvirae
  • Phylum: Peploviricota
  • Class: Herviviricetes
  • Order: Herpesvirales
  • Family: Herpesviridae
  • Genus: Lymphocryptovirus
  • Species: Epstein–Barr virus
  • Structure:
  • Virion: The infectious form of EBV is called a virion. It is composed of a nucleocapsid surrounded by an envelope.
  • Envelope: The envelope is derived from the host cell membrane and contains viral glycoproteins important for viral entry and immune evasion.
  • Capsid: The nucleocapsid is an icosahedral structure comprising capsid proteins enclosing the viral genome.
  • Genome: The EBV genome is a linear, double-stranded DNA molecule. It is approximately 172 kilobase pairs (kbp) in length and contains around 85 genes.
  • Proteins: EBV encodes numerous proteins involved in various stages of the viral life cycle, immune evasion, and modulation of host cell functions. Some essential proteins include viral capsid antigens (VCA), viral membrane antigens (MA), Epstein-Barr nuclear antigens (EBNAs), and latent membrane proteins (LMPs).
  • It is associated with various diseases, such as infectious mononucleosis, Burkitt’s lymphoma, and nasopharyngeal carcinoma. 
  • EBV has two major antigenic types: EBV-1 and EBV-2 (A and B). They differ in the sequence of the genes that code for the EBV nuclear antigens (EBNA-2, EBNA-3A/3, EBNA-3B/4, and EBNA-3C/6). These antigens are expressed during latent infection of B cells and are targets of the host immune response. 
  • EBV antigens can also be detected in some tumors, such as nasopharyngeal carcinoma and NK-cell lymphoma. The distribution of EBV types varies geographically and may be related to different disease outcomes. 
  • Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is a kind of human herpes virus that infects B and epithelial cells. It can cause infectious mononucleosis and is associated with various cancers and autoimmune diseases. The pathogenesis of EBV involves a cycle of infection and latency in different stages of B cell differentiation. EBV can enter the B cell through the CD21 receptor and activate it to increase and express all nine latent proteins (the growth program). 
  • The infected B cell then enters the germinal center, where it undergoes somatic hypermutation and class switch recombination and expresses only three latent proteins (the default program). The germinal center B cell can exit as a memory B or a plasma cell, expressing only one latent protein (the latency program). The memory B cell can occasionally reactivate the virus and produce infectious particles that can infect new B cells or epithelial cells. 
  • The epithelial cells can also amplify and shed the virus into the saliva or genital secretions. The immune system can control the infection by recognizing and eliminating the infected cells, but some cells may escape and give rise to lymphomas or other diseases. 

Host defenses against Epstein–Barr virus (EBV) infection involve innate and adaptive immunity. Innate immunity is the first-line antiviral defense, which EBV must evade in favor of its replication and infection. 

Some of the innate immune mechanisms that can recognize and respond to EBV infection are: 

  • Pattern recognition receptors (PRRs), such as Toll-like receptors (TLRs), RIG-I-like receptors (RLRs), NOD-like receptors (NLRs), and AIM2-like receptors (ALRs), that can sense viral components and trigger signaling pathways that lead to the production of type I interferons (IFNs) and other inflammatory cytokines.   
  • Natural killer cells, NK cells, are lymphocytes with cytotoxic properties that attack cancer cells. 
  • It can kill infected or transformed cells by releasing perforin and granzymes or engaging death receptors. NK cells can also secrete IFN-γ and other cytokines that activate macrophages and dendritic cells.   
  • Macrophages and dendritic cells, which are antigen-presenting cells that can phagocytose and degrade viral particles, secrete cytokines and chemokines that recruit and activate other immune cells and present viral antigens to T cells via major histocompatibility complex (MHC) molecules.   

 However, EBV has developed various strategies to evade or modulate the innate immune response of its host, such as: 

  • Encoding viral proteins that can interfere with PRR signaling, IFN production or response, NK cell activation or recognition, complement activation, or antigen presentation.   
  • Expressing viral microRNAs that can target host genes involved in innate immunity, such as PRRs, IFN-stimulated genes, cytokines, chemokines, or apoptosis regulators.   
  • Establishing latency in B cells, where the virus expresses a limited set of viral genes that can avoid detection by PRRs or NK cells, modulate cytokine secretion or response, or induce immune tolerance. 

 

The Epstein-Barr virus can cause various diseases, such as Infectious mononucleosis (commonly known as mono or kissing illness) is a kind of infectious mononucleosis, lymphoma, and nasopharyngeal cancer.   

Some of the symptoms of EBV infection include: 

  • Fever 
  • Painful sore throat 
  • Swollen lymph nodes in the neck 
  • Enlarged spleen and liver. 
  • Loss of appetite 
  • Fatigue and weakness 
  • Headache 
  • Rashes on the skin     

However, some people may have no symptoms or mild symptoms like the flu. There is no specific treatment for EBV infection. Medications such as painkillers, antivirals, or corticosteroids may be prescribed to manage some symptoms.

Self-care measures include: 

  • Drinking plenty of fluids. 
  • Getting adequate rest. 
  • Avoid contact with infected persons. 
  • Eating foods rich in anti-inflammatory and antiviral properties. 

 

  • EBV infection can be diagnosed by a blood test that detects antibodies to the virus. Antibodies are proteins generated by your immune system.  
  • Battle disease infections. Approximately 90% of persons carry antibodies indicating a current or previous EBV infection. 
  • However, diagnosing EBV infection can be challenging because the symptoms are like other illnesses. Sometimes, other tests may be needed to rule out other causes of your symptoms, such as a complete blood count (CBC) or a throat culture.  

Control According to the CDC, no vaccine protects Against EBV infection. You can safeguard yourself by avoiding kissing or sharing beverages, food, or personal things with persons with EBV infection, such as toothbrushes. You can also use protection when having sex with someone with the virus.  

EBV does not have a particular therapy. However, several things may be done to assist in alleviating symptoms, such as:   

  • Drinking fluids to stay hydrated.  
  • Getting plenty of rest.  
  • Taking over-the-counter medications for pain and fever 

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