Epstein-Barr Virus Infection and Infectious Mononucleosis

Abstract

The Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is a member of the Herpesviridae virus family. Humans are the primary reservoir for EBV that targets B-lymphocytes and nasopharyngeal epithelial cells [1]. EBV has a latency phase where, following a primary infection, it infects epithelial cells, enters the circulating B lymphocyte, and persist for the life in a latent state [2]. It is the most common causative agent of infectious mononucleosis (IM) [3]. Oral route is the primary method of transmission, attributing to the moniker “the kissing disease.” There is also evidence of mutation in EBV being linked to certain types of cancers in humans [4].