The Incubation Period of Primary Epstein-Barr Virus Infection: Viral Dynamics and Immunologic Events.

ABSTRACT: Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is a human herpesvirus that causes acute infectious mononucleosis and is associated with cancer and autoimmune disease. While many studies have been performed examining acute disease in adults following primary infection, little is known about the virological and immunological events during EBV's lengthy 6 week incubation period owing to the challenge of collecting samples from this stage of infection. We conducted a prospective study in college students with special emphasis on frequent screening to capture blood and oral wash samples during the incubation period. Here we describe the viral dissemination and immune response in the 6 weeks prior to onset of acute infectious mononucleosis symptoms. While virus is presumed to be present in the oral cavity from time o

SUBMITTER: Dunmire SK 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4666617 | biostudies-literature | 2015 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature