Tag: lymphocytes

Of all the viral infections that affect humans, Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is one of the most common. Upon initial infection, the virus causes mononucleosis in some children and young adults; this disease is characterized by non-specific symptoms, such as fever, as well as exhaustion which in some cases can last for several months. Until now, it was not clear why a first EBV infection leads to mononucleosis in only a minority of people, while most have no symptoms. EBV proliferation in humans is normally fought off by T cells...