Multiple Epstein-Barr virus infections in healthy individuals

J Virol. 2003 Jun;77(11):6546-50. doi: 10.1128/jvi.77.11.6546-6550.2003.

Abstract

We employed a newly developed genotyping technique with direct representational detection of LMP-1 gene sequences to study the molecular epidemiology of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection in healthy individuals. Infections with up to five different EBV genotypes were found in two of nine individuals studied. These results support the hypothesis that multiple EBV infections of healthy individuals are common. The implications for the development of an EBV vaccine are discussed.

Publication types

  • Evaluation Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Amino Acid Sequence
  • DNA, Viral / blood
  • Epstein-Barr Virus Infections / epidemiology*
  • Epstein-Barr Virus Infections / virology
  • Genotype
  • Herpesvirus 4, Human / classification*
  • Herpesvirus 4, Human / genetics
  • Herpesvirus 4, Human / isolation & purification*
  • Humans
  • Molecular Epidemiology*
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Polymerase Chain Reaction
  • Prevalence
  • Saliva / virology
  • Viral Matrix Proteins / genetics*

Substances

  • DNA, Viral
  • EBV-associated membrane antigen, Epstein-Barr virus
  • Viral Matrix Proteins