Intrafamilial Transmission of Symptomatic Epstein-Barr Virus Infection among Six Adult Members of One Family

Abstract

The contagiousness of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is low, and transmission of the disease from infected persons within a family or to other contacts is rare. We report of 6 adult members of 1 family who over a period of 6 months showed symptoms and laboratory findings compatible with acute EBV infection. Four patients examined for EBV specific antibodies had serology typical of primary EBV infection. Three of the 6 patients—1 of them serotogkally confirmed—were 60 years old or more, an age in which acute EBV infection is very rare.