EPSTEIN-BARR-VIRUS INFECTION - A LYMPHOTR OPIC AND EPITHELIOTROPIC INFECTION

Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) has long been thought to be primarily a B-lym photropic virus. This tropism becomes obvious in the association of th e virus with diseases that become manifest in lymphoproliferative cond itions, such as acute infectious mononucleosis or endemic Burkitt's ly mphoma. In the course of mononucleosis, however, viraemia cannot be de tected and B-lymphocytes infected with EBV in vitro produce only small amounts of the virus. In contrast, recent studies document that EBV r eplicates in the epithelial cells in the mouth, and pronounced secreti on of virus can also be detected. Cells of the basal layer of the epit helium can be infected via the EBV-specific CR2 receptor. Upon mitosis of the cells of the basal layer, EBV genome in episomal form is parti tioned to the daughter cell. On the other hand, differentiation and ma turation of the epithelial cells is paralleled by active virus product ion. Thus, there is evidence that the epithelial EBV infection is the main factor in the persistence and production of EBV. Accordingly, the EBV infection of epithelial cells which can result in diseases, seems to be the primary process, leading to the infection of B-lymphocytes and then to other diseases. Diseases associated with infection of epit helial cells by EBV and diseases involving B-lymphocytes are discussed with reference to this idea.