Causative Agents
Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) (also called as human herpes virus 4 (HHV-4)) belongs to the family of Herpesviridae, genus Lymphocryptovirus which is the cancer-causing member of Herpesviridae family, also containing herpes simplex virus 1 and 2. There are two different types (EBV-1, EBV-2) based on their nuclear antigen genes. It is an enveloped virus containing double-stranded linear DNA genome with viral particles 120-150 nm in diameter and enclosed by capsid and lipid envelope. [1]