Epidemiological data suggest that the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is associated with several autoimmune diseases, such as systemic lupus erythematosus, rheumatoid arthritis and multiple sclerosis. However, it is not clear whether EBV plays a role in the pathogenesis of these diseases, and if so, by which mechanisms the virus may contribute. In this review, we discuss possible viral and immunologic...

Viral infections contribute to approximately 12% of cancers worldwide, with the vast majority occurring in developing countries and areas. Two DNA viruses, Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) and human papillomavirus (HPV), are associated with 38% of all virus-associated cancers. The probability of one patient infected with these two distinct types of viruses is increasing. Here, we summarize the co-infec...

Persistent Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection remains asymptomatic in the majority of virus carriers, despite the potent growth transforming potential of this virus. The increased frequency of EBV associated B cell lymphomas in immune compromised individuals suggests that tumor-free chronic infection with this virus is in part due to immune control. Here we discuss the evidence that loss of sel...

BACKGROUND Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV) is a widely disseminated lymphotropic herpes virus implicated in benign and malignant disorders. In transplant patients, immunosuppressive drugs (cyclosporine) diminish control of EBV replication, potentially leading to lymphoproliferative disorders (LPD). Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients have impaired control of EBV infection and have EBV load ten times hi...

Post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorder (PTLD) is a life-threatening Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-driven B-cell malignancy occurring in 1 to 3% of renal transplant patients. Recently, EBV DNA quantification has become a useful tool for identifying patients at risk of developing PTLD. However, studies on EBV load differ in design, methodology and type of patients.

Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection results in rapid loss of CD1d expression from the surface of infected B cells, thus enabling the virus to evade immune recognition by natural killer T (NKT) cells. Using pharmacologic means to boost CD1d expression, potent NKT cell effector functions can be elicited toward EBV-infected B cells, suggesting the promise of novel strategies to target EBV-associate...

Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is a ubiquitous virus that infects nearly all people worldwide without serious sequela. However, for patients who have genetic diseases which predispose them to the development of hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH), EBV infection is a life-threatening problem. As a part of a themed collection of articles on EBV infection and human primary immune deficiencies, we w...

Epstein Barr virus (EBV) and Kaposi sarcoma associated herpesvirus (KSHV) are two oncogenic human γ-herpesviruses that each with 1-2% of tumors. They encode bona fide oncogenes they express during latent infection to amplify their host cells themselves within these. In contrast, lytic particle producing has been considered destroy might be even induced therapeutically eliminate EBV KSHV However...

Continuous lymphoblastoid cell cultures were established from marmoset (Saguinus sp.), squirrel (SaimirÃ-sciureus), owl (Aotus trivirgatus), and cebus (Cebus apella) monkeys after their peripheral lymphocytes were cultured with lethally, X-irradiated cells carrying Epstein-Barr virus (EBV). Simian lymphocytes were also transformed after exposure to infectious, cell-free EBV derived from some si...