Lymphoma, Immunodeficiency and the Epstein-Barr Virus

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Abstract
It is established that Epstein–Barr virus (EBV) is the etiologic agent of infectious mononucleosis and African Burkitt's lymphoma. Thus, EBV, a herpes-related virus, commonly causes a benign, self-limited infection in man, or, in certain settings, a malignant lymphoma.1 EBV infects primarily, if not exclusively, the B lymphocytes of man and subhuman primates.2 When B lymphocytes are infected in vivo by EBV, the infected B cells are attacked and destroyed by T lymphocytes. This war among the lymphocytes is manifested clinically as infectious mononucleosis. In vitro B lymphocytes infected with EBV become immortal in that long-term B-lymphocyte culture lines can be . . .