title: Simulating Epstein-Barr virus infection with C-ImmSim.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infects greater than 90% of humans benignly for life but can be associated with tumors. It is a uniquely human pathogen that is amenable to quantitative analysis; however, there is no applicable animal model. Computer models may provide a virtual environment to perform experiments not possible in human volunteers.
  
  
  RESULTS
  We report the application of a relatively simple stochastic cellular automaton (C-ImmSim) to the modeling of EBV infection. Infected B-cell dynamics in the acute and chronic phases of infection correspond well to clinical data including the establishment of a long term persistent infection (up to 10 years) that is absolutely dependent on access of latently infected B cells to the peripheral pool where they are not subject to immunosurveillance. In the absence of this compartment the infection is cleared.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  The latest version 6 of C-ImmSim is available under the GNU General Public License and is downloadable from www.iac.cnr.it/~filippo/cimmsim.html
authors.affiliation: Istituto Applicazioni del Calcolo M. Picone-CNR, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Filippo
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Castiglione
authors.forename: Karen
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Duca
authors.forename: Abdul
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Jarrah
authors.forename: Reinhard
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Laubenbacher
authors.forename: Donna
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Hochberg
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Thorley-Lawson
mesh_terms: D003198:Computer Simulation; D020031:Epstein-Barr Virus Infections / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology / Q000821:virology*; D004854:Herpesvirus 4, Human / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D007113:Immunity, Innate / Q000276:immunology*; D018448:Models, Immunological; D015233:Models, Statistical; D012984:Software; D013269:Stochastic Processes; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology* / Q000821:virology*; D014775:Virus Activation / Q000276:immunology; D017735:Virus Latency / Q000276:immunology