Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV) : Overview

Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV), a member of the herpesvirus family, is a ubiquitous double-stranded DNA virus that has established itself as a significant contributor to human disease. The virus is renowned for its near-universal prevalence, with over 90% of the global population being infected. EBV's ability to cause a wide range of clinical manifestations, from asymptomatic infection to infectious mononucleosis, and its association with various malignancies, makes it a subject of extensive medical interest.

The seroprevalence of EBV shows considerable variation across different age groups and geographical locations. In the United States, EBV prevalence among children and adolescents aged 6 to 19 years is approximately 66.5%, with a higher prevalence observed in older adolescents. Globally, countries like England report a prevalence rate of 74.6% in individuals aged 11 to 24 years, with young adults showing up to 93% seropositivity. Studies from regions such as Tehran, Iran, indicate an 81.4% seroprevalence of EBV IgG antibody, with nearly 95% of individuals over 40 years being seropositive. These statistics underscore the widespread nature of EBV infection across different populations.

EBV's role in oncogenesis is particularly significant in developing countries, where a third of cancer cases are attributed to microbial infections. Among these, EBV stands...