Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 5, 2026

An Efficient and Simple Method to Establish NK and T Cell Lines from Patients with Chronic Active Epstein-Barr Virus Infection
09:43

An Efficient and Simple Method to Establish NK and T Cell Lines from Patients with Chronic Active Epstein-Barr Virus Infection

Published on: March 30, 2018

Progress and problems in understanding and managing primary Epstein-Barr virus infections

Oludare A Odumade1, Kristin A Hogquist, Henry H Balfour

  • 1Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, University of Minnesota Medical School, MMC 437, 420 Delaware St. SE, Minneapolis, MN 55455-0392, USA.

Clinical Microbiology Reviews
|January 15, 2011
PubMed

Insights

Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) causes lifelong infections, sometimes leading to infectious mononucleosis or cancers. Understanding EBV biology and immune responses is key to developing new therapies and prevention strategies.

Area of Science:

  • Virology
  • Immunology
  • Oncology

Background:

  • Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), a common gammaherpesvirus, establishes lifelong infections in a majority of the human population.
  • While often asymptomatic, EBV primary infection can manifest as infectious mononucleosis and, if immune control fails, lead to lymphoproliferation and lymphomagenesis.
  • The host immune system plays a critical role in maintaining latent EBV infection.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To comprehensively review the biology of Epstein-Barr virus.
  • To elucidate the host immune response to EBV infection.
  • To discuss diagnostic methods, pathogenesis, and therapeutic/preventative strategies for EBV-related conditions.

Main Methods:

  • Review of existing literature on EBV biology, immunology, and clinical manifestations.
  • Synthesis of information regarding diagnosis and pathogenesis of infectious mononucleosis.
  • Analysis of current and potential future therapeutic and preventative approaches.

Main Results:

  • EBV infects a large proportion of humans, establishing lifelong latency controlled by the immune system.
  • Uncontrolled EBV infection can result in infectious mononucleosis, lymphoproliferation, and cancer.
  • Effective immune surveillance is crucial for managing EBV.

Conclusions:

  • A thorough understanding of EBV biology and host immune responses is fundamental for managing EBV infections.
  • Developing novel therapeutic and preventative strategies requires integrating knowledge of EBV pathogenesis and diagnosis.
  • Future research should focus on enhancing immune control and developing targeted interventions against EBV-driven diseases.

More Related Videos

Isolation and Quantification of Epstein-Barr Virus from the P3HR1 Cell Line09:14

Isolation and Quantification of Epstein-Barr Virus from the P3HR1 Cell Line

Published on: September 28, 2022

Separation of Immune Cell Subpopulations in Peripheral Blood Samples from Children with Infectious Mononucleosis08:44

Separation of Immune Cell Subpopulations in Peripheral Blood Samples from Children with Infectious Mononucleosis

Published on: September 7, 2022

Related Concept Videos

Encephalitis ll: Pathophysiology01:26

Encephalitis ll: Pathophysiology

Encephalitis is inflammation of the brain parenchyma caused by direct viral invasion or immune-mediated mechanisms triggered by infections or tumors. Both processes lead to neuronal injury, disrupted neurotransmission, and diverse neurological symptoms, often with overlapping clinical and pathological features.Autoimmune EncephalitisIn autoimmune encephalitis, antibodies target neuronal antigens on cell surfaces, synapses, or within neurons. A key example is anti-NMDAR encephalitis, which can...
Genital Herpes01:23

Genital Herpes

Genital herpes is a sexually transmitted infection primarily caused by herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2), though herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) is increasingly implicated in genital infections, particularly among younger populations. Transmission occurs mainly through sexual contact, with asymptomatic viral shedding serving as a major route of spread. This characteristic makes HSV-2 difficult to control at a population level, as individuals may unknowingly transmit the virus even in the...
Stages of Infection01:26

Stages of Infection

Stages of infection describe what happens to a susceptible host once a pathogen invades the human body. The stages of infection are incubation, prodromal, illness, stage of decline, and convalescence. The incubation stage is the period from exposure to a pathogen until symptoms start. The infected person is unaware of impending illness as the pathogens grow and multiply within the body. The duration may vary depending on the type of infection. The incubation period of measles averages ten to...
Smallpox01:24

Smallpox

Smallpox is a severe contagious disease caused by the Variola major virus, a double-stranded DNA member of the Poxviridae family.Variola major transmission occurs primarily via inhalation of virus-laden droplets or direct contact with infectious scabs. The incubation period averages approximately seven days, although it may range from 7 to 17 days depending on the inoculum and host factors.Clinically, the prodromal phase is marked by an abrupt onset of high fever, malaise, headache, and myalgia.
Encephalitis l: Introduction01:19

Encephalitis l: Introduction

Encephalitis is inflammation of the brain parenchyma, most often due to infections or autoimmune processes. It presents with neuropsychiatric features such as fever, altered mental status, behavioral changes, cognitive dysfunction, seizures, focal deficits, and sometimes autonomic instability. In some cases, the meninges are also involved, resulting in meningoencephalitis.Infectious CausesInfectious encephalitis is most commonly viral but can also result from bacterial, fungal, or parasitic...
Viral Hepatitis I: Introduction01:28

Viral Hepatitis I: Introduction

Viral hepatitis is an inflammatory condition of the liver caused by infection with hepatotropic viruses, most commonly hepatitis A, B, C, D, and E. Despite variations in structure and transmission, all viruses mentioned infect hepatocytes and provoke immune responses that can hinder liver function. Additionally, some non-hepatotropic viruses can also lead to hepatic inflammation.Hepatitis A VirusHepatitis A virus (HAV) is transmitted through the fecal–oral route, typically by ingestion of food...