Virological Markers in Epstein–Barr Virus-Associated Diseases

Abstract

Epstein–Barr virus (EBV) is an oncogenic virus infecting more than 95% of the world’s population. After primary infection—responsible for infectious mononucleosis in young adults—the virus persists lifelong in the infected host, especially in memory B cells. Viral persistence is usually without clinical consequences, although it can lead to EBV-associated cancers such as lymphoma or carcinoma. Recent reports also suggest a link between EBV infection and multiple sclerosis. In the absence of vaccines, research efforts have focused on virological markers applicable in clinical practice for the management of patients with EBV-associated diseases. Nasopharyngeal carcinoma is an EBV-associated malignancy for which serological and molecular markers are widely used in clinical practice. Measuring blood EBV DNA load is additionally, useful for preventing lymphoproliferative disorders in transplant patients, with this marker also being explored in various other EBV-associated lymphomas. New technologies based on next-generation sequencing offer the opportunity to explore other biomarkers such as the EBV DNA methylome, strain diversity, or viral miRNA. Here, we review the clinical utility of different virological markers in EBV-associated diseases. Indeed, evaluating existing or new markers in EBV-associated malignancies or immune-mediated inflammatory diseases triggered by EBV infection continues to be a challenge.

Epstein-Barr virus: Causes, consequenses, diagnosis and treatment of Epstein-Barr virus in human

“…This virus exhibits two primary modes of infection: a latent state of infection and active viremia, the latter being attributed to the lytic potential of the virus (17). Infection with this oncogenic virus may remain asymptomatic in a certain number of individuals (18). Some studies that have been carried out so far have shown that the percentage of viruses in Reed-Sternberg cells that are pathognomonic for Hodgkin's lymphoma, and that possessed a given virus, ranges up to over 70%.…”

Laboratory Findings and Biomarkers in Long COVID: What Do We Know So Far? Insights into Epidemiology, Pathogenesis, Therapeutic Perspectives and Challenges

“…(5) The reactivation of latent viruses, such as EBV, VZV, HSV and HHV-6, during and after acute COVID-19 infection in various organs may lead to a plethora of chronic symptoms after COVID-19 (e.g., fatigue, myalgia, cognitive disorders) [ 103 ]. These viruses have been implicated in several disorders, including rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis, lymphomas and cancers [ 104 , 105 , 106 , 107 , 108 , 109 ].…”