Epstein-Barr virus retroviruses

Epstein-Barr virus/human endogenous retrovirus HERV-K18... 

There is a wide variety of vectors used to deliver DNA or oligonucleotides into mammalian cells, either in vitro or in vivo. The most common vector systems are based on viral [retroviruses (9, 10), adeno-associated virus (AAV) (11), adenovirus (12, 13), herpes simplex virus (HSV) (14)] andnonviral [cationic liposomes (15,16), polymers and receptor-mediated polylysine-DNA] complexes (17). Other viral vectors that are currently under development are based on lentiviruses (18), human cytomegalovirus (CMV) (19), Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) (20), poxviruses (21), negative-strand RNA viruses (influenza virus), alphaviruses and herpesvirus saimiri (22). Also a hybrid adenoviral/retroviral vector has successfully been used for in vivo gene transduction (23). A simplified schematic representation of basic human gene therapy methods is described in Figure 13.1. 

Buchacher, A., Predl, R., Strutzenberger, K., Steinfellner, W., Trkola, A., Purtscher, M., Gruber, G., Tauer, C., Steindl, F., and Jungbauer, A. (1994). Generation of human monoclonal antibodies against HIV-1 proteins electrofusion and Epstein-Barr virus transformation for peripheral blood lymphocyte immortalization. AIDS Res. Hum. Retroviruses 10, 359-369. 

Systemic sclerosis Parvovirus B19, cytomegalovirus, Epstein-Barr virus, endogenous retrovirus, Helicobacter pylori... 

Diseases transferred by pathogens crossing the species barrier are referred to as zoonoses, and the zoonotic diseases very likely include Ebola and AIDS (Ewald, 2000, p. 103fQ. This leads us to the link between breast cancer and retroviruses (other sources consider retroviruses to cause cancer). Evidence of retroviruses has been found in cancerous breast tissue but not in surrounding normal tissue. Moreover, the viral sequences are indistinguishable from those for the mouse mammary tumor virus. And the geographic distribution of breast cancer correlates with that for the distribution for the virus s primary host, Mus domesticus, the common house mouse. A cosuspect is the Epstein-Barr virus, found disproportionately in human breast cancers. 

In a chapter Infection Unmasked, Drexler first underscores the point that some 70% of all deaths are due to lingering or chronic illnesses rather than to the abrupt severity of acute afflictions. Furthermore, there is the statement that today, a growing number of researchers claim that these disabling conditions may be caused by infection. Thus, more than 90% of cervical cancer cases are caused by the human papillomavirus, and more than 60% of liver cancer cases result from the hepatitis B virus. The retrovirus HTLV-1 is the precursor for adult T cell lymphoma, with the cancerous condition occurring decades after the infection. The Epstein-Barr virus, a herpes-type virus causing mononucleosis, also has an effect on people with malaria, producing a cancer known as Burkitt s lymphoma, the leading cause of childhood cancer deaths worldwide. Kaposi s sarcoma, known as a comphcation of AIDS, is said to be caused by human herpesvirus 8. 

In a brief book by former well-known herbalist and author Hanna Kroeger of Boulder, Colorado, titled Free Your Body of Tumors and Cysts, it was stated that tumors are caused by fungi as well as viruses. Among those caused by fungi she lists hard tumors, a tumor formed by the fungus maduromycates as found in India, and prostate cancer. As for the kinds caused by viruses, she lists the following four virus classifications papilloma and papilloma combined with Epstein-Barr, Epstein-Barr with herpes, herpes with another virus, and retroviruses. 

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