Detection of a second widespread strain of Epstein-Barr virus.

The prevalence of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) type B, which was previously found mainly in equatorial Africa, was investigated with the polymerase chain reaction in a population of healthy adults in Memphis, Tennessee. EBV was detected in the throat washings of 34 (22%) of 157 randomly selected donors, 14 (41%) of whom had type B virus and 17 (50%) type A; 3 donors (9%) had both strains. 18 additional adults with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV-1) infection and 6 severely immunocompromised children were also investigated. Results indicated that type B EBV is widespread in nature and may be reactivated by immunodeficiency.