Epstein-Barr virus infection: the micro and macro worlds
Wei Huang, Lang Bai, Hong Tang
Abstract
Epstein‒Barr virus (EBV) is a DNA virus that belongs to the human B lymphotropic herpesvirus family and is highly prevalent in the human population. Once infected, a host can experience latent infection because EBV evades the immune system, leading to hosts harboring the virus for their lifetime. EBV is associated with many diseases and causes significant challenges to human health. This review first offers a description of the natural history of EBV infection, clarifies the interaction between EBV and the immune system, and finally focuses on several major types of diseases caused by EBV infection.
Topics & Concepts
BiologyVirologyVirusImmune systemEpstein–Barr virusImmunologyPopulationMedicineEnvironmental healthViral-associated cancers and disordersCytomegalovirus and herpesvirus researchImmune Cell Function and Interaction