Epstein Barr Virus

The Epstein-Barr virus is a member of the herpes family, and is one of the most commonly found viruses in humans. Many people become infected during childhood, but the virus remains dormant within the throat and blood cells throughout an individual’s lifetime. There are usually no signs or symptoms when dormant, but, when latent, a person can develop infectious mononucleosis or chronic Epstein-Barr infection. Researchers have also found connections between EBV and Burkitt’s lymphoma, Hodgkin’s disease, and other disorders. This piece illustrates the Lytic stages of EBV infection, as the virus infiltrates the squamous epithelial cells within the tongue. The cut out slice of the tongue allows the viewer to see the underlying layers of the tongue and how the cells are reacting to the infection. While researching at UIC about Epstein Barr Virus, I noticed a pattern that EBV is related to more commonly known diseases, such as Hodgkin’s disease and more recently breast cancer. It is amazing that a virus could be the root to the development of certain cancers, and I wanted to illustrate how important it is to better understand its function within the human body. This scene was created in 3d Studio Max and finally composited in Photoshop.