DETECTION OF A-TYPE AND B-TYPE EPSTEIN-BARR-VIRUS IN THROAT WASHINGS AND LYMPHOCYTES

Peripheral blood lymphocytes, obtained from 94 individuals, were assay ed for the presence and type of Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV) using primers specific for A-type and B-type EBV in the polymerase chain reaction ( PCR). Samples from 16 individuals (17%) were negative for EBV sequence s. Of the remaining individuals A-type EBV was detected in 35%, B-type in 21%, and both A- and B-type EBV in 27%. Samples of throat washings were also collected from 33 healthy donors and the presence and type of EBV was determined using PCR. EBV was not detected in 12 donors. Ho wever, of those who were excreting EBV, A-type EBV was present in 11 d onors (52%), B-type in 7 donors (33%), and both A- and B-types in the remaining 3 donors (14%). These results suggest that infection with B- type EBV and coinfections with both A- and B-type EBV are more common than previously thought. (C) 1994 Academic Press, Inc.