Adenovirus and Epstein-Barr virus in lung disease

The adenovirus and the Epstein-Barr virus are double-stranded DNA viruses capable of infecting the human respiratory tract and producing a wide spectrum of pulmonary disorders. We review the viral factors and viral-host interactions that may be involved in the pathogenesis of pulmonary disorders associated with adenoviral and Epstein-Barr virus infections, focusing on the possible role of acute, persistent, and latent infections. Adenovirus and Epstein-Barr virus have evolved a remarkable array of strategies to survive within the infected host, and an improved understanding of these strategies is essential to developing innovative therapies to effectively manipulate viral-host interactions.