Researchers from AstraZeneca, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, and Baylor College of Medicine have identified 22 genes which increase the risk of developing a range of chronic conditions following an Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV) infection. Differences in these genes help explain why this virus can have lasting health effects, in some people but not others. The team analyzed genetic and health data from approximately 750,000 people in the U.K. and U.S., and their study “Population-scale sequencing resolves determinants of persistent EBV DNA” is published in Nature. EBV infects nearly everyone—around 90% of people—but typically remains silent in the body. For some, however, this common virus can persist at higher levels and can contribute to serious chronic illnesses, including lupus, chronic lung disease, heart disease, and certain cancers later in life. Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) replication cycle, illustration. [TTSZ/Getty Images]This work described in Nature uses existing libraries of genomic and health data alongside novel computational methods to quantify EBV levels across hundreds of thousands of individuals. The team discovered that certain genetic differences—many in immune system genes—could make it harder for the body to keep EBV under control. People with these variants are more likely to have higher levels of the virus in their blood, which is linked to increased rates of chronic disease. While EBV infection cannot be prevented, the research points to how researchers can understand who may be most at risk for developing various chronic diseases, opening the door to earlier detection and intervention strategies. “Identifying the roles of these…
