Podcast Episode
A collaborative study published in Nature has now identified 22 genetic regions that help explain why some people develop serious chronic diseases while most experience no lasting effects.
Rather than discarding traces of viral DNA as noise during genome analysis, the research team developed computational methods to quantify EBV levels in bloodÔÇöa newly developed biomarker they call "EBV DNAemia."
"We saw the untapped potential of this routinely discarded viral DNA and generated valuable insights at a scale previously unimaginable, turning trash into treasure," said Caleb Lareau, a computational biologist at MSK and corresponding author.
Many of the 22 genetic variants sit within the Human Leukocyte Antigen region of the genome, which controls how viral fragments are presented to immune cells. Variants in genes including ERAP1 and ERAP2 influence this viral presentationÔÇöwhile robust presentation helps contain EBV, weak presentation allows the virus to persist.
People with higher EBV levels showed approximately fifty percent greater risk of rheumatoid arthritis and nearly twice the risk of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease compared with those with lower viral levels.
"Many perceive EBV as a relatively harmless illness," noted Chris Wincup of King's College London. "However, the diseases associated with it impose a considerable burden on many individuals."
Scientists Discover 22 Genes Behind Serious EBV-Related Illness
January 28, 2026
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A groundbreaking study has identified 22 genetic regions that explain why some people develop serious chronic diseases after contracting the Epstein-Barr virus, while most experience no lasting effects. The research could transform how scientists approach treatments for conditions ranging from lupus to chronic fatigue syndrome.
The Kissing Disease Gets Serious
The Epstein-Barr virus infects over ninety percent of the global population, typically causing infectious mononucleosisÔÇöoften called the "kissing disease"ÔÇöwhich usually resolves within weeks. But for certain individuals, EBV has been linked to autoimmune diseases, cancers, and neurological conditions including multiple sclerosis and lupus.A collaborative study published in Nature has now identified 22 genetic regions that help explain why some people develop serious chronic diseases while most experience no lasting effects.
Turning Trash Into Treasure
Researchers from Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, AstraZeneca, and Baylor College of Medicine analysed genome sequence data from approximately 750,000 participants in the UK Biobank and the US All of Us initiative.Rather than discarding traces of viral DNA as noise during genome analysis, the research team developed computational methods to quantify EBV levels in bloodÔÇöa newly developed biomarker they call "EBV DNAemia."
"We saw the untapped potential of this routinely discarded viral DNA and generated valuable insights at a scale previously unimaginable, turning trash into treasure," said Caleb Lareau, a computational biologist at MSK and corresponding author.
The Genetic Lottery
The team discovered that roughly ten percent of people carry genetic variations that leave them particularly susceptible to persistent high levels of EBV in their blood.Many of the 22 genetic variants sit within the Human Leukocyte Antigen region of the genome, which controls how viral fragments are presented to immune cells. Variants in genes including ERAP1 and ERAP2 influence this viral presentationÔÇöwhile robust presentation helps contain EBV, weak presentation allows the virus to persist.
People with higher EBV levels showed approximately fifty percent greater risk of rheumatoid arthritis and nearly twice the risk of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease compared with those with lower viral levels.
Implications for Treatment
The findings could reshape how scientists approach treatments and vaccines for EBV-related conditions. Researchers also found associations between elevated EBV levels and malaise or fatigue, reinforcing a potential relationship with chronic fatigue syndrome."Many perceive EBV as a relatively harmless illness," noted Chris Wincup of King's College London. "However, the diseases associated with it impose a considerable burden on many individuals."
Published January 28, 2026 at 10:32pm
