Epstein-Barr virus reactivation after superinfection of the BJAB-B1 and P3HR-1 cell lines with cytomegalovirus

The BJAB-B1 and P3HR-1 cells were observed to be susceptible to a CMV superinfection by the detection of the major immediate early (MIE) viral transcript and protein (p52) expression. The BZLF1 transcript was observed in both cell lines superinfected with CMV, indicating EBV reactivation. BZLF1 protein was observed in the BJAB-B1 cells. Antigen detection was not performed in the P3HR-1 cells.The results from the in vitro superinfections support the in vivo studies suggesting a CMV infection is related to an EBV reactivation and suggests that CMV may be important as a co-factor in EBV pathogenesis in the immunocompromised patient.Cytomegalovirus (CMV) and Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), in immunocompetent individuals, are etiologically associated with infectious mononucleosis as well as other disease presentations and malignancies [1,2]. Once a person has recovered from an active herpesvirus infection, it will establish a latent infection. Maintenance of viral latency is primarily determined by the immune status of the host; but there are other factors that can contribute to herpesviral reactivation [3-7].There are numerous studies observing CMV and EBV reactivation in immunosuppressed patients. CMV is the most important pathogen among these patients and the virus can cause both direct and indirect effects [8-13]. Among solid organ transplant recipients, the effects of CMV disease are similar among all patients, with the exception being the effect on the transplanted organ [10,14-17]. The most common disease presentation of CMV in AIDS patients is retinitis [8,11]. The significance of CMV disease in transplant and HIV infected individuals goes much further than the direct pathological effects because CMV has been shown to be an immune modulator and may contribute significantly to the net immunosuppressive status of the patient [11]. This immunomodulation would therefore increase the susceptibility to superinfections from other pathogens.Oral hairy leukoplakia, caused by EB