Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV) Genome Sequence Variations, Virus Strain Classifications and EBV-Associated Tumors

Authors: Gurtsevitch V* and Smirnova K

Volume 5, Issue 1

Abstract

The Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), a member of the Herpesviridae family, belonging to the Gammaherpesvirinae subfamily, has been associated with several nonmalignant and malignant diseases, including Burkitt’s lymphoma, gastric cancer, Hodgkin’s lymphoma, and nasopharyngeal carcinoma. In recent years numerous EBV genome sequences have been analyzed to answer the question of whether EBV genome variations are tumor-specific, ethnically or geographically determined. A clear answer regarding the "specialization" of EBV strains has not yet been received; however, attempts are being made to identify high-risk EBV strains. This mini-review analyzes the most well-known EBV classifications, EBV sequence variations and their association with EBV-associated human pathologies.

Keywords: Epstein-Barr Virus Classification; Population; Environmental Factors

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