Epstein-Barr Virus

Introduction to EBV
The Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV) is most commonly

associated with the disease mononucleosis,
also known as "the kissing disease" due to its
primary mode of infection. According to the
World Health Organization (WHO) serologic
tests show that approximately 95% of adults
worldwide and the United States have been
infected by EBV. EBV has been linked to mild
childhood sickness, to infectious
mononucleosis in adolescent's, and to Burkitt's
lymphoma and nasopharyngeal carcinoma.
EPSTEIN BARR VIRUS
EBV
Discovered in 1964 by Epstein &
colleagues
Definite association with malignancy
is able to transform cells resulting in
immortalization of cell
2 types of virus A & B which may co-
exist in same person
Epstein-Barr Virus
(EBV)
Belong to the gammaherpesvirus
subfamily of herpesviruses
Nucleocapsid 100 nm in diameter, with
162 capsomers
Membrane is derived by budding of
immature particles through cell
membrane and is required for infectivity.
Genome is a linear double stranded DNA
molecule with 172 kbp

Epidemiology
Two epidemiological patterns are seen with EBV.
In developed countries, 2 peaks of infection are seen : the first in
very young preschool children aged 1 - 6 and the second in
adolescents and young adults aged 14 - 20 Eventually 80-90% of
adults are infected.
In developing countries, infection occurs at a much earlier age so
that by the age of two, 90% of children are seropositive.
The virus is transmitted by contact with saliva, in particularly
through kissing.

BURKITTS LYMPHOMA
NASOPHARYNGEAL CARCINOMA
Pathogenesis
Once infected, a lifelong carrier state develops
whereby a low grade infection is kept in check
by the immune defenses.
Low grade virus replication and shedding can
be demonstrated in the epithelial cells of the
pharynx of all seropositive individuals.
EBV is able to immortalize B-lymphocytes in
vitro and in vivo

Epstein barr VIRUS infection also known as
The Kissing Disease"

9
Pathogenesis
A few EBV-immortalized B-cells can be
demonstrated in the circulation which are
continually cleared by immune
surveillance mechanisms.
EBV is associated with several very
different diseases where it may act
directly or one of several co-factors.

Disease Association
1. Infectious Mononucleosis
2. Burkitt's lymphoma
3. Nasopharyngeal carcinoma
4. Lymphoproliferative disease and lymphoma in the
immunosuppressed.
5. X-linked lymphoproliferative syndrome
6. Chronic infectious mononucleosis
7. Oral leukoplakia in AIDS patients
8. Chronic interstitial pneumonitis in AIDS patients.
Clinical Syndromes Associated
with EBV Infection
Silent, nonspecific infections
: in children
- prolonged low-grade fever +
lymphadenopathy
- cough
- rhinorrhea
- pharyngitis

Role of EBV in Cancers
EBV is thought to play a critical role in two
cancers:
Burkitt's lymphoma and
nasopharyngeal carcinoma.The
CDC sites EBV as a factor in these
cancers, but the WHO lists EBV as
one of 3 viruses known to be the
causative agents in cancer.
Dr.T.V.Rao MD
14

Infectious mononucleosis (IM) prodrome
2 5 days malaise, fatigue, possibly fever - acute
phase
fever (last 45 wks), lymphadenopathy
(24 wks), tonsillopharyngitis,
splenomegaly, hepatomegaly, rash,
abdominal pain, eyelid edema 15%
Resolution phase : organomegaly may
persist 13 m

Infectious Mononucleosis
Hepatosplenomegaly
Cervical
lymphadenopathy
Dr.T.V.Rao MD
17
Infectious Mononuclosis
Primary EBV infection is usually
subclinical in childhood. However in
adolescents and adults, there is a 50%
chance that the syndrome of infectious
mononucleosis (IM) will develop.
IM is usually a self-limited disease which
consists of fever, lymphadenopathy and
splenomegaly. In some patients jaundice
may be seen which is due to hepatitis.
Atypical lymphocytes are present in the
blood.
IM with rash after treatment with amoxicillin or ampicillin
NEJM;343:481-492.
Dr.T.V.Rao MD
19
Complications occur rarely but may be serious e.g. splenic
rupture, meningoencephalitis, and pharyngeal obstruction.
In some patients, chronic IM may occur where eventually the
patient dies of lymph proliferative disease or lymphoma.
Diagnosis of IM is usually made by the heterophile antibody
test and/or detection of EBV IgM.
There is no specific treatment.

Acute infectious mononucleosis
fatigue and malaise 1-2 wks.
sore throat, pharyngitis
retro-orbital headache
fever
myalgia
nausea
abdominal pain
generalized lymphadenopathy
Hepatosplenomegaly

Burkitts Lymphoma
Burkitt's lymphoma (BL) occurs endemically in parts of Africa
(where it is the commonest childhood tumor) and Papua New
Guinea. It usually occurs in children aged 3-14 years. It respond
favorably to chemotherapy.
It is restricted to areas with holoendemic malaria. Therefore it
appears that malaria infection is a cofactor.
Multiple copies of EBV genome and some EBV antigens can be
found in BL cells and patients with BL have high titers of
antibodies against various EBV antigens.
Burkitts Lymphoma
BL cells show a reciprocal translocation between the long arm of
chromosome 8 and chromosomes 14, 2 or 22.
This translocation result in the c-myc oncogene being
transferred to the Immunoglobulin gene regions. This
results in the deregulation of the c-myc gene. It is
thought that this translocation is probably already
present by the time of EBV infection and is not caused
by EBV.
Sporadic cases of BL occur, especially in AIDS patients
which may or may not be associated with EBV.
Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma
Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is a malignant tumour of the squamous epithelium of the
nasopharynx. It is very prevalent in S. China, where it is the commonest tumour in men and
the second commonest in women.
The tumour is rare in most parts of the world, though pockets occur in N. and C. Africa,
Malaysia, Alaska, and Iceland.
Multiple copies of EBV genome and EBV EBNA-1 antigen can be found in cells of
undifferentiated NPC. Patients with NPC have high titres of antibodies against various EBV
antigens.
Besides EBV there appears to be a number of environmental and genetic cofactors in NPC.
NPC usually presents late and thus the prognosis is poor.
In theory NPC can be prevented by vaccination.
Immunocompromised Patients
After primary infection, EBV maintains a steady low grade latent infection in the
body. Should the person become immunocompromised, the virus will
reactivate. In a few cases, lymphoproliferative lesions and lymphoma
may develop. These lesions tend to be extranodal and in unusual sites
such as the GI tract or the CNS.
Transplant recipients e.g. renal - EBV is associated with the
development of lymphoproliferative disease and lymphoma.
AIDS patients - EBV is associated with oral leukoplakia and with
various Non-Hodgekins lymphoma.
Ducan X-linked lymphoproliferative syndrome - this condition
occurs exclusively in males who had inherited a defective gene in the
X-chromosome . This condition accounts for half of the fatal cases of
IM.
Diagnosis
Acute EBV infection is usually made by the heterophil antibody test
and/or detection of anti-EBV VCA IgM.
Cases of Burkitts lymphoma should be diagnosed by histology. The
tumour can be stained with antibodies to lambda light chains which
should reveal a monoclonal tumour of B-cell origin. In over 90% of
cases, the cells express IgM at the cell surface.
Cases of NPC should be diagnosed by histology.
The determination of the titre of anti-EBV VCA IgA in screening
for early lesions of NPC and also for monitoring treatment.
A patient with with non-specific ENT symptoms who have elevated
titres of EBV IgA should be given a thorough examination.
Treatment
Treatment of Mononucleosis is to manage
the symptoms. According to the Merck
Manual antiviral agents have been proven
not to be effective in shortening the course of
the infection or alleviating symptoms. It is
advised to take Acetomeniphen or a Non-
Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drug (NSAID) to
help with fever and overall discomfort.
Corticosteroids can be used to help alleviate
swelling of the airway when necessary.

Prevention
Prevention of EBV is almost
impossible with 95% of the
worlds population infected with
EBV. If one is trying to avoid
infection they can avoid contact
with an infected persons saliva.
Overall there are not many
methods of EBV infection
prevention.

Programme Created by
Dr.T.V.Rao MD for Medical
students in the Developing
World
Email
[email protected]

Epstein-Barr Virus

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Introduction to EBV

The Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV) is most commonly

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