NEWS: A recent analysis by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), under the WHO, highlighted the widespread prevalence of EBV worldwide.

ABOUT

• EBV is a double-stranded DNA virus belonging to the herpesvirus family, also known as Human Herpesvirus 4 (HHV-4).
• Discovered in 1964 by Anthony Epstein, Yvonne Barr and Bert Achong in cells associated with Burkitt lymphoma.
• It was the first human virus linked to cancer.
• Transmission: Primarily through saliva; also possible through blood transfusions and organ transplantation.
• Prevalence: Infects over 90% of adults worldwide, often during childhood with mild or no symptoms.

DISEASES ASSOCIATED

• Infectious mononucleosis: Often called the “kissing disease”; symptoms may include fever, sore throat and swollen lymph nodes.
• Cancers: Associated with Burkitt lymphoma, Hodgkin lymphoma, nasopharyngeal carcinoma and some stomach cancers.
• Multiple sclerosis (MS): EBV infection is strongly associated with increased MS risk, though infection alone does not mean a person will develop MS.
• Post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorder (PTLD): Can occur when immunosuppression after transplantation allows infected B cells to proliferate.

SIGNIFICANCE

• EBV can remain latent in the body for life after the initial infection.
• Its widespread prevalence and links to certain cancers make it important for public health and cancer research.
• There is currently no routinely available approved vaccine to prevent EBV infection.