Epstein-Barr virus

American  

[ep-stahyn bahr vahy-ruhs] / ˈɛp staɪn ˈbɑr ˌvaɪ rəs /

noun

1. a type of herpesvirus that causes infectious mononucleosis. EBV

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Epstein-Barr virus British  

/ ˈɛpstaɪn ˈbɑː /

noun

1.  EBV.  a virus belonging to the herpes family that causes infectious mononucleosis; it is also implicated in the development of Burkitt's lymphoma and Hodgkin's disease

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Epstein-Barr virus Scientific  

/ ĕp′stīn-bär′ /

1. A virus of the family Herpesviridae and the genus Lymphocryptovirus that causes infectious mononucleosis and is associated with several types of human cancers. It is named after two of its discoverers, British pathologist Michael Anthony Epstein (born 1921) and British virologist Yvonne M. Barr (born 1932).

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Etymology

Origin of Epstein-Barr virus

Named after British pathologist Sir Michael Anthony Epstein (1921–2024) and Irish virologist Yvonne Margaret Barr (1932–2016), who co-discovered the virus in 1964

Example Sentences

Vaccine Company is developing a vaccine against Epstein-Barr virus.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 26, 2026

The Epstein-Barr virus can cause a spectrum of diseases, including a range of cancers.

From Science Daily • May 23, 2024

The pathogen that came to bear his and Dr. Barr’s names — Epstein-Barr virus — belongs to the herpes family and is one of the most ubiquitous on the planet.

From New York Times • Mar. 6, 2024

She was waylaid by the Epstein-Barr virus, which left her fighting extreme fatigue.

From Seattle Times • Jul. 31, 2023

A Harvard University study in 2022 showed compelling evidence that the Epstein-Barr virus that causes glandular fever triggers the process.

From BBC • Apr. 4, 2023