Herpesviruses

Abstract

Overview Eight herpesviruses have been isolated from humans: two of these, Epstein–Barr virus (EBV) and Kaposi sarcoma‐associated herpesvirus (KSHV), are associated with human tumors. EBV has been detected in lesions from patients with post‐transplant lymphoproliferative disease, nasopharyngeal and some types of gastric carcinoma, Burkitt lymphoma, Hodgkin lymphoma, and certain other lymphoid tumors. KSHV is associated with Kaposi sarcoma, primary effusion lymphoma, and Castleman disease. Each of these viruses encodes proteins important for establishment of latency, transforming cells, and evading the immune system.