Epstein-Barr Virus Hides in B-Lymphocytes

Epstein-Barr Virus Hides in B-Lymphocytes

The virus is good at hiding out in cells of the upper respiratory and immune systems. Researchers are still trying to understand how this latency works and why, in some folks, reactivation occurs. Apparently there are hereditary components as well as environmental triggers.

Some genetic variations in individuals may allow the virus to hide in B-lymphocytes and turn off elements that normally kill infected cells. These antibody-producing white blood cells then act as a reservoir for future infections. From time to time, they arrive in the nasopharyngeal region, where they lyse (pop), littering local epithelial tissue with virus. Those tissues then become infected.

Stress Reactivates Epstein-Barr Virus Infection

Physical and emotional stresses appear to play a crucial role in the reactivation, and smoldering infection of EBV. Several studies with subjects ranging from astronauts to college students have shown that as individuals are stressed, saliva levels of EBV increase. One relatively recent study correlated low socioeconomic position with increased infection and chronic virus shedding. According to this study, females with little education had consistently higher levels of active virus. There was also a higher incidence in non-Caucasian groups.

The Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is a common pathogen spread by kissing and saliva exchange. This virus infects at least 90% of the world population, and 50% of children have been exposed to it by age 5. Infection with EBV may be expressed differently, depending on geographical location and ethnicity.

Infectious Mononucleosis is Caused by Epstein-Barr Virus

In the United States, acute infection usually appears as a syndrome called infectious mononucleosis. Folks in the throes of infectious mononucleosis experience

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