Epidemiological evidence for causal relationship between Epstein-Barr virus and Burkitt's lymphoma from Ugandan prospective study

G de-Thé; A Geser; N E Day; P M Tukei; E H Williams; D P Beri; P G Smith; A G Dean; G W Bronkamm; P Feorino; W Henle

doi:10.1038/274756a0

Epidemiological evidence for causal relationship between Epstein-Barr virus and Burkitt's lymphoma from Ugandan prospective study

Nature. 1978 Aug 24;274(5673):756-61. doi: 10.1038/274756a0.

Authors

G de-Thé, A Geser, N E Day, P M Tukei, E H Williams, D P Beri, P G Smith, A G Dean, G W Bronkamm, P Feorino, W Henle

PMID: 210392
DOI: 10.1038/274756a0

Abstract

Results from a prospective sero-epidemiological study initiated in Uganda in 1971 indicate that children with high antibody titres to Epstein-Barr virus structural antigens are at high risk of developing Burkitt's lymphoma. These findings strongly support a causal relationship between the Epstein-Barr virus and Burkitt's lymphoma but suggest that the oncogenic potential of the virus is realised only in exceptional circumstances.

Publication types

Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

Age Factors
Antibodies, Viral / analysis
Burkitt Lymphoma / etiology*
Burkitt Lymphoma / microbiology
Child
Child, Preschool
Cocarcinogenesis
Female
Herpesvirus 4, Human* / immunology
Humans
Malaria / complications
Male
Uganda

Substances

Antibodies, Viral