The extent of genetic diversity of Epstein-Barr virus and its geographic and disease patterns: A need for reappraisal

Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is a ubiquitous, gamma-1 lymphotrophic virus etiologically linked to nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC), endemic to Southern China, and Burkitt lymphoma (BL), endemic to equatorial Africa, both of which are rare elsewhere in the world. Why EBV is associated with different malign...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Virus research 2009-08, Vol.143 (2), p.209-221
Main Authors: Chang, Cindy M., Yu, Kelly J., Mbulaiteye, Sam M., Hildesheim, Allan, Bhatia, Kishor
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
30 bp deletion
Africa - epidemiology
B98-5
Burkitt Lymphoma - epidemiology
Burkitt Lymphoma - virology
BZLF1
Carcinoma - epidemiology
Carcinoma - virology
China - epidemiology
EBNA1
EBV
EBV types 1 and 2
Epstein-Barr virus
Epstein-Barr Virus Infections - complications
Epstein-Barr Virus Infections - epidemiology
Epstein-Barr Virus Infections - virology
Epstein-Barr Virus Nuclear Antigens - genetics
Genetic diversity
Genetic Variation
Genotype
Genotypes
Geography
Herpesvirus 4, Human - classification
Herpesvirus 4, Human - genetics
Humans
LMP1
Nasopharyngeal Neoplasms - epidemiology
Nasopharyngeal Neoplasms - virology
Strain variation
Trans-Activators - genetics
Variants
Viral Matrix Proteins - genetics
XhoI loss
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Summary:Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is a ubiquitous, gamma-1 lymphotrophic virus etiologically linked to nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC), endemic to Southern China, and Burkitt lymphoma (BL), endemic to equatorial Africa, both of which are rare elsewhere in the world. Why EBV is associated with different malignancies in different geographic regions remains puzzling and may be related to EBV genotypic variability through specific disease and geographic associations. We review the literature on sequence variation in EBV genes, focusing on LMP-1, EBNA-1, and BZLF-1 and their distribution by geography and disease. Given the limitations of current studies, definitive conclusions regarding the link between EBV genotypes, disease and geography are not possible. We suggest that the true extent of EBV diversity is likely to be greater than is currently recognized. Additional studies conducted in carefully selected populations, that are sufficiently powered to provide robust estimates, and that utilize testing approaches that permit full characterization of viral diversity are needed to further our understanding of patterns of EBV genetic variation and their association with malignancies in different regions.
ISSN:0168-1702
1872-7492
DOI:10.1016/j.virusres.2009.07.005