Advanced therapeutic and prophylactic strategies for Epstein-Barr virus infection in immunocompromised patients.
Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is an ubiquitous human herpesvirus. Primary infection is generally subclinical but in certain circumstances, such as in patients with either hereditary or secondary immunodeficiency, EBV infection may cause overt disease that is often lethal. Strategies for the prophylaxis and treatment of these potentially life-threatening complications of EBV infection have advanced dramatically. They include immunological-based approaches targeted at EBV-infected cells, as well as improvement in the treatment of the underlying and predisposing disease. This review will discuss EBV biology and immune events that occur in both immunocompetent and immunocompromised individuals and introduce the novel prophylactic and therapeutic strategies for EBV-associated life-threatening diseases.
Okano
Motohiko
M
Department of Microbiology, Center for Infectious Diseases Control, Hokkaido Institute of Public Health, Kita-ku, Sapporo, Japan. okano_m@iph.pref.hokkaido.jp
Gross
Thomas G
TG
D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D020031:Epstein-Barr Virus Infections / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology* / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000628:therapy*; D004854:Herpesvirus 4, Human / Q000472:pathogenicity; D006801:Humans; D016867:Immunocompromised Host; D007153:Immunologic Deficiency Syndromes / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology; D008232:Lymphoproliferative Disorders / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology; D016377:Organ Transplantation
D000998:Antiviral Agents