Spectrum of Epstein-Barr virus-associated diseases

• Published in: Annual review of pathology Vol. 1; no. 1; pp. 375 - 404
• Main Authors: Kutok, J L, Wang, F
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States 01-01-2006
• Subjects: Animals; B-Lymphocytes - pathology; B-Lymphocytes - virology; Burkitt Lymphoma - pathology; Burkitt Lymphoma - virology; Cell Transformation, Viral; Epstein-Barr Virus Infections - complications; Epstein-Barr Virus Infections - pathology; Herpesvirus 4, Human - physiology; Hodgkin Disease - pathology; Hodgkin Disease - virology; Humans; Infectious Mononucleosis - pathology; Infectious Mononucleosis - virology; Virus Latency; Virus Replication
• ISSN: 1553-4006; 1553-4014
• DOI: 10.1146/annurev.pathol.1.110304.100209

The association between Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) and a large number of benign and malignant diseases is unique among DNA viruses. Within infected tissues, proteins that are expressed during the normal lytic and latent viral life cycle lead to cellular alterations that contribute to these EBV-associated diseases. Although the early events of EBV infection are poorly understood, increasing knowledge of the viral processes that govern viral latency has shed light upon the potential mechanisms by which EBV infection can lead to cellular transformation. Our current understanding of the role of EBV in the development of Burkitt lymphoma, Hodgkin lymphoma, nasopharyngeal carcinoma, and other EBV-associated diseases is discussed.