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Epidemiological evidence for causal relationship between Epstein-Barr virus and Burkitt's lymphoma from Ugandan prospective study

Nature volume 274, pages 756–761 (1978)Cite this article

Abstract

Results from a prospective sero-epidemiological study initiated in Uganda in 1971 indicate that children with high antibody titres to Epstein-Barr virus structural antigens are at high risk of developing Burkitt's lymphoma. These findings strongly support a causal relationship between the Epstein-Barr virus and Burkitt's lymphoma but suggest that the oncogenic potential of the virus is realised only in exceptional circumstances.

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Author information

Author notes

  1. P. M. Tukei

    Present address: Medical Research Center, PO Box 20752, Nairobi, Kenya

  2. P. G. Smith

    Present address: ICRF Cancer Epidemiology and Clinical Trials Unit, Oxford, UK

  3. A. G. Dean

    Present address: Research Corporation of the University of Hawaii, Honolulu, Hawaii, 96822

  4. G. W. Bornkamm

    Present address: Institut für Virologie im Zentrum für Hygiene, 7800, Freiburg, FRG

  5. G. de-Thé: On leave at ICRF Cancer Epidemiology and Clinical Trials Unit, Oxford, UK.

  6. D. P. Beri: Dr Beri was killed in a road accident shortly after his retirement to India.

Authors and Affiliations

  1. International Agency for Research on Cancer, WHO, 150 cours Albert Thomas, 69372, Lyon, France

    G. de-Thé, A. Geser & N. E. Day

  2. East African Virus Research Institute, Entebbe, Uganda

    P. M. Tukei

  3. Kuluva Hospital, PO Box 28, Arua

    E. H. Williams, D. P. Beri, P. G. Smith & A. G. Dean

  4. East African Virus Research Institute Field Station, Arua, Uganda

    E. H. Williams, D. P. Beri, P. G. Smith & A. G. Dean

  5. Institut für Klinische Virologie, Universit Erlangen, FRG

    G. W. Bornkamm

  6. Center for Disease Control, Atlanta, Georgia, 30245

    P. Feorino

  7. Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, 34th Street Civic Center Boulevard, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 19104

    W. Henle

Authors
  1. G. de-Thé
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  2. A. Geser
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  7. P. G. Smith
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  8. A. G. Dean
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  11. W. Henle
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de-Thé, G., Geser, A., Day, N. et al. Epidemiological evidence for causal relationship between Epstein-Barr virus and Burkitt's lymphoma from Ugandan prospective study. Nature 274, 756–761 (1978). https://doi.org/10.1038/274756a0

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