Epstein-Barr virus: culprit or consort?
Article Abstract:
The Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) has been implicated in a wide variety of diseases, from infectious mononucleosis and white patches known as hairy leukoplakia to certain cancers and post-organ transplant lymphomas. While EBV has numerous manifestations, all its associated diseases appear to stem from initial infections of epithelial cells and B lymphocytes. Epithelial cells line the body's cavities and form the skin, and B lymphocytes are critical to the immune system. Mononucleosis is caused by EBV infection of epithelial cells and B lymphocytes, and lymphomas are caused by EBV infected B lymphocytes. Unfortunately, lymphoma incidence is increasing, largely due to AIDS and the immunosuppressive treatment used following organ transplants. The role of EBV in cancer of the nasopharynx above the soft palate of the mouth is less well understood, but it appears that EBV provokes an immunological response that may be useful in early detection of the cancer.
Publication Name: The New England Journal of Medicine
Subject: Health
ISSN: 0028-4793
Year: 1992
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Cryoglobulinemia and hepatitis C virus
Article Abstract:
Cryoglobulins are protein complexes that will precipitate out of blood at low temperatures. Three types of cryoglobulins have been identified: Type I, Type II and Type III. The different types of cryoglobulins are made up of antibodies and other proteins and have been associated with different diseases. The precipitation of cryoglobulins may cause a variety of complications in patients with Type I, Type II or Type III cryoglobulinemia. A research study found that a significant number of patients with type II cryoglobulinemia either had developed antibodies to hepatitis C virus (HCV) or tested positive for the presence of HCV RNA, or genetic material, in their blood. HCV RNA was found concentrated in the cryoglobulins from the blood of four of these patients. If HCV infection is the cause of most cases of Type II or Type III cryoglobulinemia, the treatment for these conditions may change.
Publication Name: The New England Journal of Medicine
Subject: Health
ISSN: 0028-4793
Year: 1992
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Epstein-Barr virus and a cellular signaling pathway in lymphomas from immunosuppressed patients
Article Abstract:
A protein produced by cells infected with the Epstein-Barr virus appears to be responsible for causing lymphoma in people with suppressed immune systems. This category would include AIDS patients and organ transplant recipients. Tumor samples from 8 transplant recipients with lymphoma, 2 AIDS patients with lymphoma and 3 patients with Burkitt's lymphoma were analyzed for the latent membrane protein 1 (LMP1) and the virus itself. Six of the transplant recipients and both AIDS patients tested positive for the virus and LMP1 but those with Burkitt's lymphoma only tested positive for the virus.
Publication Name: The New England Journal of Medicine
Subject: Health
ISSN: 0028-4793
Year: 1998
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