Recruiting

Genetic Studies

Sponsor:

National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID)

Code:

NCT00032513

Conditions

Chronic Active Epstein-Barr Virus

Eligibility Criteria

Sex: All

Age: 1 - 70+

Healthy Volunteers: Not accepted

Study Details

Brief summary:

Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is a member of the human herpes virus family that infects more than 95 percent of the U.S. population. Most infections occur in childhood and cause no symptoms; in adolescents and adults, EBV often causes infectious mononucleosis. It has also been associated with certain forms of cancer. Chronic Epstein-Barr virus (CAEBV) is a rare disease, primarily of children and young adults, that leads to life-threatening infections.

This study seeks to identify genetic mutations responsible for CAEBV. A secondary goal is to learn more about the natural history of CAEBV.

The study will examine blood and tissue samples from up to 50 patients (age 3 and above) with CAEBV and up to 150 of their relatives (age 1 and above). Autopsy samples may be included in the study. Up to 300 anonymous blood samples from the NIH Clinical Center Blood Transfusion Medicine will also be examined for comparison.

No more than 450 milligrams (30 tablespoons) of blood per 8 weeks will be drawn from adult patients, and no more than 7 milliliters per kilogram of blood per 8 weeks will be drawn from patients under age 18. Local health care providers will refer patients to the study and will obtain the samples. Some patients may also be seen at the NIH Clinical Center. Those patients will have a full medical history and physical examination, along with chest X-ray, blood counts, blood chemistry, EBV serologies, and viral load. Other tests, such as CT scan or MRI, may be performed if medically indicated. Patients will be asked to undergo leukapheresis.

In vitro tests on the blood or tissue samples will include analysis for proteins or genes that are involved in the immune response; cloning of portions of patient DNA; transformation of B cells with EBV; measurement of the ability of patient blood cells to kill EBV-infected cells; determination of lymphocyte subsets; and determination of antibodies to EBV or other herpes viruses.

If a genetic cause for CAEBV is found, the investigators will be available to discuss the results with patients in person or by telephone. Genetic indications of risk for other diseases will also be discussed with patients.

Conditions

Chronic Active Epstein-Barr Virus

Study ID

NCT00032513

Start date

Apr 16, 2002

Status verified date

Apr 30, 2026

Eligibility Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

Sex: All

Age: 1 - 70+

Healthy Volunteers: Not accepted

  • ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

CAEBV PATIENTS

Study size: up to 150 patients

Sex distribution: male and female

Age range: 1 year old and above

Patients with known or suspected CAEBV and their relatives will be recruited by referrals from health care providers. The rarity of this disease will markedly limit the number of patients available to study; therefore, we will enroll patients who are 1 year of age and older. However, children under the age of 3 years old will be enrolled as samples- only participants and not be evaluated at the Clinical Center.

Patient recruitment is irrespective of racial and ethnic group or sex. NIAID investigators will be available to answer questions and discuss general aspects of CAEBV and identified genes or modifier genes with participants or their providers.

Eligibility criteria: To be considered having CAEBV, a patient must have:

1. a severe progressive illness that began as a primary EBV infection, or associated with positive EBV-specific antibody titers (IgG-VCA, ; EA or EBNA) not otherwise explained AND
2. evidence of major organ involvement such as lymphadenitis, hemophagocytosis, meningoencephalitis, persistent hepatitis, splenomegaly, interstitial pneumonitis, bone marrow hypoplasia, uveitis AND
3. detection of elevated levels of EBV DNA, RNA or proteins in affected tissues OR elevated levels of EBV DNA in the peripheral blood

Exclusion Criteria:

(a) Any other condition that, in the opinion of the investigator, would make the patient unsuitable for enrollment or could interfere with the patient participating in the study.

RELATIVES OF CAEBV PATIENTS:

Study size: up to 150 relatives of CAEBV patients

Age range: 3 years and above

To determine the genetic basis for this syndrome, the evaluation of blood, saliva and/or previously obtained tissue specimens from healthy relatives of CAEBV patients will serve as controls. No tissue biopsies will be performed on healthy relatives. We will

perform some of the studies listed on samples from normal relatives.

UNRELATED VOLUNTEERS

Study size: up to 300 persons

Age range: 18 years and above

Panels of anonymous blood samples will be obtained through NIH Clinical Center Blood Transfusion Medicine to determine if identified genetic changes are mutations or polymorphisms.

Study Design

Enrollment

300 participants

Anticipated

Interventions and Outcome Measures

Arms

CAEBV

Patients with chronic active Epstein-Barr virus.

Hydroa vaccineforme

Patients with EBV hydro vaccineforme.

Primary outcome measure

  • The primary goal of this study is to identify genetic mutations responsible for CAEBV. [ Time Frame: ongoing ]

Central Contacts and Locations

Central contacts

Jeffrey I Cohen, M.D.

(301) 496-5265jcohen@niaid.nih.gov

Locations

National Institutes of Health Clinical Center

Recruiting

Bethesda, Maryland, United States, 20892

More Information

Sponsor

National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID)

Last update posted

Jul 28, 2026

Last verified

Apr 30, 2026

Keywords

  • Herpes
  • Hemophagocytosis
  • Epstein-Barr Virus
  • Lymphoproliferative Disease
  • Mononucleosis
  • Natural History
  • Epstein-Barr
  • EBV
  • CAEBV
  • Chronic Active Epstein-Barr Virus
  • Virus

Trial information was received from ClinicalTrials.gov and was last updated on 2026-10-22. This information was provided to ClinicalTrials.gov by National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) on 2026-07-28. Recruitment status is synced daily from ClinicalTrials.gov and may not reflect the sponsor's current status. Confirm during your call.