First Known Use: 1968
Dictionary
Epstein–Barr virus
noun Ep·stein–Barr virus \ˌep-ˌstīn-ˈbär-\
Definition of EPSTEIN-BARR VIRUS
: a herpesvirus (species Human herpesvirus 4 of the genus Lymphocryptovirus) that causes infectious mononucleosis and is associated with Burkitt's lymphoma and nasopharyngeal carcinoma —abbreviation EBV
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Origin of EPSTEIN-BARR VIRUS
Michael Anthony Epstein b1921 and Yvonne M. Barr b1932 English pathologists
Medical Dictionary
Epstein–Barr virus
noun Ep·stein–Barr virus \ˌep-ˌstīn-ˌbär-\
Medical Definition of EPSTEIN–BARR VIRUS
: a herpesvirus (species Human herpesvirus 4 of the genus Lymphocryptovirus) that causes infectious mononucleosis and is associated with Burkitt's lymphoma and nasopharyngeal carcinoma—abbreviation EBV; called also EB virus
Biographical Note for EPSTEIN–BARR VIRUS
Ep·stein \ˈep-ˌstīn\ , Michael Anthony (born 1921), and Barr \ˈbär\ , Yvonne M. (born 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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