The seroepidemiology of the Epstein-Barr vírus (EBV)

Abstract

Since the discovery of the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) in 1964, seroepidemiological studies have sought to characterize this member of the Herpetoviridae family. Through these studies the ubiquity of EBV became evident, as did its relationship to human malignant and non-malignant diseases. Besides being linked etiologically with infectious mononucleosis, the Epstein-Barr virus is closely associated with Burkitt lymphoma and nasopharingeal carcinoma. In addition to the intrinsic value of the findings reported, these extremely important studies have also brought a better understanding of the possible mechanisms and affects of viral infections in man.