Science Weekly The virus that infects almost everyone, and its link to cancer and MS
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Mar 28, 2024 Lawrence Young, Professor of molecular oncology, discusses the 60th anniversary of Epstein-Barr virus discovery linking it to cancer and MS. They explore the virus's role in 1% of cancers, its connection to MS, and challenges in vaccine development.
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EBV Prevalence and Impact
- Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is the most common viral infection in humans, infecting up to 96% of the population.
- Discovered 60 years ago, EBV is linked to 1% of cancers and autoimmune diseases like multiple sclerosis.
EBV Discovery
- EBV's discovery involved a surgeon, Dennis Burkitt, observing a jaw tumor in African children.
- Tony Epstein linked this to a chicken virus, leading to EBV's identification in Burkitt's samples.
EBV's Surprising Prevalence
- Burkitt lymphoma, linked to EBV, is rare, while EBV infection is widespread.
- Researchers were surprised to find nearly everyone had EBV antibodies, despite its cancer link.