Research article

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

Rodney C Arcenas^{* 1,2} and Raymond Widen^{* 1,2}

¹Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, College of Medicine, University of South Florida, Tampa, Fl 33612

²Esoteric Testing and Research Department, Clinical Laboratory, Tampa General Hospital, Davis Islands, Fl 33606

author email corresponding author email* Contributed equally

BMC Microbiology 2002, 2:20doi:10.1186/1471-2180-2-20

Published:	23 July 2002

Abstract

Background

Studies examining herpesvirus-herpesvirus (cytomegalovirus (CMV)-Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)) interactions are limited, and many of the studies have been clinical observations suggesting such an interaction exists. This report aims to examine the in vitro susceptibilities of BJAB-B1 and P3HR-1 cells (EBV positive Burkitt's lymphoma B-cell lines) to a CMV superinfection; and show that EBV reactivation occurs after CMV superinfects these cell lines.

Results

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.

Conclusion

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.