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Epstein-Barr virus and the elderly host.

Publication ,  Journal Article
Schmader, KE; van der Horst, CM; Klotman, ME
Published in: Rev Infect Dis
1989

The ability of the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) to cause latent lifelong infection in the host and its capabilities of transformation may have important implications for the elderly host. Reports in the literature and hospital records were reviewed to determine the activity of EBV in the elderly. Seroepidemiologic surveys demonstrated that 90%-97% of adults more than 60 years old were seropositive for EBV. Geometric mean antibody titers and the percentage of individuals with high antibody titers to EBV increased with age--changes that were not associated with clinical illness. Only 29 cases of infectious mononucleosis have been reported in adults more than 60 years old. The elderly with infectious mononucleosis had significantly fewer occurrences of pharyngitis, lymphadenopathy, and splenomegaly when compared with young adults. The cases of two patients with illnesses that did not meet full criteria for infectious mononucleosis but may still have represented clinical manifestations of EBV infection are presented. Other EBV-associated diseases reported in the elderly include nasopharyngeal carcinoma and possibly B cell lymphoproliferative disease but not a chronic mononucleosis-like syndrome.

Duke Scholars

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Published In

Rev Infect Dis

DOI

ISSN

0162-0886

Publication Date

1989

Volume

11

Issue

1

Start / End Page

64 / 73

Location

United States

Related Subject Headings

  • Nasopharyngeal Neoplasms
  • Middle Aged
  • Male
  • Lymphoproliferative Disorders
  • Infectious Mononucleosis
  • Humans
  • Herpesvirus 4, Human
  • Female
  • Burkitt Lymphoma
  • Aged
 

Citation

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Schmader, K. E., van der Horst, C. M., & Klotman, M. E. (1989). Epstein-Barr virus and the elderly host. Rev Infect Dis, 11(1), 64–73. https://doi.org/10.1093/clinids/11.1.64
Schmader, K. E., C. M. van der Horst, and M. E. Klotman. “Epstein-Barr virus and the elderly host.Rev Infect Dis 11, no. 1 (1989): 64–73. https://doi.org/10.1093/clinids/11.1.64.
Schmader KE, van der Horst CM, Klotman ME. Epstein-Barr virus and the elderly host. Rev Infect Dis. 1989;11(1):64–73.
Schmader, K. E., et al. “Epstein-Barr virus and the elderly host.Rev Infect Dis, vol. 11, no. 1, 1989, pp. 64–73. Pubmed, doi:10.1093/clinids/11.1.64.
Schmader KE, van der Horst CM, Klotman ME. Epstein-Barr virus and the elderly host. Rev Infect Dis. 1989;11(1):64–73.

Published In

Rev Infect Dis

DOI

ISSN

0162-0886

Publication Date

1989

Volume

11

Issue

1

Start / End Page

64 / 73

Location

United States

Related Subject Headings

  • Nasopharyngeal Neoplasms
  • Middle Aged
  • Male
  • Lymphoproliferative Disorders
  • Infectious Mononucleosis
  • Humans
  • Herpesvirus 4, Human
  • Female
  • Burkitt Lymphoma
  • Aged