Intrafamilial transmission of symptomatic Epstein-Barr virus infection among six adult members of one family.
The contagiousness of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is low, and transmission of the disease from infected persons within a family or to other contacts is rare. We report of 6 adult members of 1 family who over a period of 6 months showed symptoms and laboratory findings compatible with acute EBV infection. Four patients examined for EBV specific antibodies had serology typical of primary EBV infection. Three of the 6 patients--1 of them serologically confirmed--were 60 years old or more, an age in which acute EBV infection is very rare.
Larsson
B O
BO
Department of Infectious Diseases, Uddevalla Hospital, Sweden.
Linde
A
A
D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000914:Antibodies, Viral / Q000032:analysis; D005192:Family Health; D005260:Female; D006566:Herpesviridae Infections / Q000635:transmission*; D004854:Herpesvirus 4, Human / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged
D000914:Antibodies, Viral