title: Evidence for early infection of nonneoplastic natural killer cells by Epstein-Barr virus.
abstract: We examined lymph nodes and tonsils from patients with infectious mononucleosis by combined detection of EBV-encoded RNA and a specific marker of natural killer (NK) cells, PEN5. A small number of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) latently infected nonneoplastic NK cells were detected. Our data demonstrate that NK cells are natural targets of EBV and that infection of these cells is an early event observed during primary EBV infection.
mesh_terms: D000606:Amino Sugars / Q000032:analysis; D000954:Antigens, Surface / Q000032:analysis; D015415:Biomarkers; D018801:CD2 Antigens / Q000032:analysis; D017252:CD3 Complex / Q000032:analysis; D004854:Herpesvirus 4, Human / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D006801:Humans; D007244:Infectious Mononucleosis / Q000097:blood / Q000821:virology*; D007694:Killer Cells, Natural / Q000821:virology*; D008198:Lymph Nodes / Q000821:virology; D014066:Palatine Tonsil / Q000821:virology; D011134:Polysaccharides / Q000032:analysis
chemical_list: D000606:Amino Sugars; D000954:Antigens, Surface; D015415:Biomarkers; D018801:CD2 Antigens; D017252:CD3 Complex; C084426:Pen5 antigen, human; D011134:Polysaccharides