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Epstein-Barr virus
A virus, abbreviated EBV, best known as the cause of infectious mononucleosis ("mono"). Infection with EBV is characterized by fatigue and general malaise. Infection with EBV is fairly common and is usually a transient and minor thing. However, in some individuals EBV can trigger chronic illness, including immune and lymphoproliferative syndromes. It is a particular danger to people with compromised immune systems, such as from AIDS. EBV was at one time believed to be the cause of the chronic fatigue syndrome, but chronic infection with this virus actually produces a separate (if similar) disorder. EBV is a double-stranded DNA virus in the herpes family of viruses. The virus is named for the English virologists Michael Anthony Epstein (1921-) and Yvonne M. Barr (1932-).

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Ep·stein-Barr virus .ep-.stīn-.bär- n a herpesvirus (species Human herpesvirus 4 of the genus Lymphocryptovirus) that causes infectious mononucleosis and is associated with Burkitt's lymphoma and nasopharyngeal carcinoma abbr. EBV called also EB virus
Ep·stein 'ep-.stīn Michael Anthony (b 1921), and
Barr 'bär Yvonne M. (b 1932)
British virologists. In 1964 Epstein and Barr isolated a herpesvirus in cultured Burkitt's lymphoma cells. This herpesvirus, since known as the Epstein-Barr virus, is now thought to be a cause of various types of human cancers, including Burkitt's lymphoma and nasopharyngeal carcinoma. Epstein also did research on tumor cell structure and other viruses.

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(EB virus, EBV)
the virus, belonging to the herpesvirus group, that is the causative agent of glandular fever. It attacks B-lymphocyte; an imbalance in the immune response to this gives rise to the clinical features of the disease. EB virus is also implicated in hepatitis and in certain cancers (e.g. Burkitt's lymphoma and Hodgkin's disease).
Sir M. A. Epstein (1921- ) and Y. M. Barr (1932- ), British pathologists

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Ep·stein-Barr virus (epґstīn bahrґ) [Michael Anthony Epstein, British physician, born 1921; Yvonne M. Barr, British virologist, born 1932] see under virus.

Medical dictionary. 2011.