Nine in 10 people worldwide have been infected with Epstein-Barr virus.
A study finds roughly 90% of people worldwide have had Epstein-Barr virus, though only a minority develop serious illnesses such as lupus, chronic lung disease, or lymphoma; researchers (including AstraZeneca) identified 22 genes associated with elevated chronic-disease risk after EBV infection.
Why it mattersAstraZeneca's 22-gene EBV risk map should push diagnostic developers to create stratified screening tests.