Epstein-Barr virus
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Virus (unranked) dsDNA viruses Family: Herpesviridae Genus: Lymphocryptovirus Species: Human herpesvirus 4 (HHV-4)

The Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), also called Human herpesvirus 4 (HHV-4), is a virus of the herpes family (which includes Herpes simplex virus and Cytomegalovirus), and one of the most common viruses in humans. Most people become infected with EBV, which is often harmless. It is named after M. A. Epstein and Y. M. Barr, who, along with B. G. Achong, discovered the virus. It was the first virus to be identified as an oncovirus and associated with the development of cancer.

In the late 1980s and early 1990s EBV became the favoured explanation for chronic fatigue syndrome. It was noted that people complaining of characteristic exhaustion had EBV, although it was also noted EBV was present in almost everyone, even those not complaining of exhaustion. The debate lasted for several years. Recently the virus has been implicated in invasive breast cancer.

In Africa, it is associated with Burkitt's lymphoma, a type of Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma [1] (http://www.cancerbacup.org.uk/Cancertype/Lymphomanon-Hodgkins/TypesofNHL/Burkitts) . It is suspected by some that Malaria may be a cofactor.

Diseases associated with EBV:

• Stevens Johnson syndrome
• Hepatitis
• Herpes
• Infectious mononucleosis (glandular fever)
• Alice in Wonderland syndrome
• Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, including Burkitt's lymphoma and primary cerebral lymphoma
• Hodgkin's disease
• Post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorder
• nasopharyngeal cancer (often found in North Africa, Southern China, and the Arctic, associated with consumption of salted meat [2] (http://www.oncologychannel.com/headneck/nasopharynx.shtml)).

External links

• CDC website on EBV (http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/diseases/ebv.htm)
• Article in The Scientist 13[6 (http://www.the-scientist.com/yr1999/mar/watanabe_p1_990315.html):1, Mar. 15, 1999 (registration required)]

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