Role of Epstein-Barr Virus in Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome

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Abstract
Human lymphotropic viruses including human T cell leukemia virus-III (HTLV-III), Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), and cytomegalovirus (CMV) likely serve important etiological roles in the induction of the acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) and in the AIDS-related malignancies. By infecting the cellular components of the immune system, these viruses alter the balance between the various lymphocyte subpopulations and affect immune regulation as well.1–3 HTLV-III is thought to be important in the induction of AIDS, especially for the final stages in the pathogenesis, owing to infection and lysis of T helper cells. CMV and EBV have been implicated in the induction of both benign and malignant disorders in patients with AIDS, including Kaposi’s sarcoma and malignant B cell lymphoma, respectively.4