Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 18, 2026
Establishment of Epstein-Barr Virus Growth-transformed Lymphoblastoid Cell Lines
Published on: November 8, 2011
Detection of a second widespread strain of Epstein-Barr virus
J W Sixbey1, P Shirley, P J Chesney
1Department of Infectious Diseases, St Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee.
Abstract:
The prevalence of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) type B, which was previously found mainly in equatorial Africa, was investigated with the polymerase chain reaction in a population of healthy adults in Memphis, Tennessee. EBV was detected in the throat washings of 34 (22%) of 157 randomly selected donors, 14 (41%) of whom had type B virus and 17 (50%) type A; 3 donors (9%) had both strains. 18 additional adults with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV-1) infection and 6 severely immunocompromised children were also investigated. Results indicated that type B EBV is widespread in nature and may be reactivated by immunodeficiency.
