Table 1.

The most important properties of the Epstein–Barr virus

• It belongs to the family of herpesviruses and to the subfamily of gamma-herpesviruses (HHV-4)

• Structure: globular, diameter 150–200 nm, capsid membrane, membrane proteins

• Genome: double-stranded, circular DNA

• Primary target cells: B lymphocytes, epithelial cells

• Receptor on B-1 lymphocytes: CD21, latent infection, episome formation

• Multiple forms (III, II, I) of virus latency, lytic cycle, replication cycle in B lymphocytes and in epithelial cells

• Immortalization of B cells

• EBV genes