Overview of Epstein-Barr virus-associated diseases in Japan.
Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) associated diseases and studies performed in Japan are reviewed. Infectious mononucleosis is a common disease in Japanese infants. Chronic and severe EBV-infections include severe chronic active EBV-infection (SCAEBV), EBV-associated hemophagocytic syndrome, and mosquito allergy with granular lymphocyte proliferative disorder (GLPD). Autoimmune lymphoproliferative syndrome (ALPS), a disease caused by a defect in the Fas-Fas ligand pathway of cell-death, may develop into lymphoproliferative disease after early exposure to EBV. More than ten cases of X-linked lymphoproliferative syndrome (XLP) were discovered in Japanese children, and the frequency of post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorder (PTLD) increased after the number of patients receiving organ transplantation increased. Recently, an association of EBV with gastric carcinoma and hepatocellular carcinoma has been suggested. EBV-infected cells, such as B-cells, T-cells, NK-cells, and epithelial cells in EBV-associated diseases have also been clarified.
Wakiguchi
Hiroshi
H
Department of Pediatrics, Kochi Medical School, Kohasu, Oko-cho, Nankoku, Kochi 783-8505, Japan. wakiguti/KMS@kochi-ms.ac.jp
D000208:Acute Disease; D002908:Chronic Disease; D020031:Epstein-Barr Virus Infections / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006801:Humans; D007564:Japan / Q000453:epidemiology