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Brief Introduction of Epstein-Barr Virus and Lymphoma

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Human Viruses: Diseases, Treatments and Vaccines

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Abstract

Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is a double-stranded DNA virus of the γ-herpesvirus subfamily that is implicated in a heterogeneous array of pathologies ranging from benign to malignant. Several lymphomas have been associated with latent infection of EBV, including Burkitt lymphoma (BL), Hodgkin lymphoma, diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, and T-cell lymphoma. The role of EBV in the pathogenesis of lymphoma is thought to be related to the induction of T-cell independent immunoglobulin class switching, antigenic stimulation of the B-cell receptor, and promotion of genetic instability of B-cells. In this chapter, the viral particle, route of infection, and proposed pathogenesis of EBV-related lymphomas are briefly discussed. The history of the discovery of EBV and BL, the first human malignancy proven to be caused by a virus, is presented.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Medicine, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, V6T 1Z4, Canada

    Daniel Esau

  2. Royal Jubilee Hospital, Victoria, BC, V8R 1J8, Canada

    Daniel Esau

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  1. Daniel Esau
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Correspondence to Daniel Esau .

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  1. Wollaton, Nottingham, UK

    Shamim I. Ahmad

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Esau, D. (2021). Brief Introduction of Epstein-Barr Virus and Lymphoma. In: Ahmad, S.I. (eds) Human Viruses: Diseases, Treatments and Vaccines . Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-71165-8_10

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