Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is an ancient virus and has probably coevolved with its different hosts over the last 90–100 million years. With the ability to establish lifelong latency and intermittent reactivation after primary infection and with limited clinical symptoms in the majority of infected individuals, EBV has become ubiquitous in all human populations. The virus has been implicated in the development of a wide variety of benign and malignant diseases, although no satisfactory explanation of its role in the pathogenesis of these disorders has been still provided. In this chapter, we will uncover the immune and viral mechanisms that establish whether EBV may coexist harmoniously with the immune system as in most of individuals or whether infection could result in one of the many EBV-associated malignancies. A brief description of such diseases is also added.
Epidemiology of Epstein-Barr Virus and Mechanisms of Carcinogenesis
Ambrosio, Maria Raffaella;
2015-01-01
Abstract
Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is an ancient virus and has probably coevolved with its different hosts over the last 90–100 million years. With the ability to establish lifelong latency and intermittent reactivation after primary infection and with limited clinical symptoms in the majority of infected individuals, EBV has become ubiquitous in all human populations. The virus has been implicated in the development of a wide variety of benign and malignant diseases, although no satisfactory explanation of its role in the pathogenesis of these disorders has been still provided. In this chapter, we will uncover the immune and viral mechanisms that establish whether EBV may coexist harmoniously with the immune system as in most of individuals or whether infection could result in one of the many EBV-associated malignancies. A brief description of such diseases is also added.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
