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True or False: EBV infections appear to be a sufficient condition for malignancy development

User Jiaying
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Final answer:

It is false that EBV infections are a sufficient condition for malignancy development, as additional factors such as immunosuppression play a critical role in the potential development of malignancies like Burkitt lymphoma.

Step-by-step explanation:

False: EBV infections are not by themselves a sufficient condition for malignancy development. While Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) has been associated with specific types of malignancies such as Burkitt lymphoma, the presence of EBV alone does not guarantee the development of a malignancy. Factors such as immunosuppression, as seen in patients with HIV or malaria, can influence the EBV to trigger malignancy. The virus favors a latent state under unfavorable conditions, suggesting there are additional factors at play in the development of malignancies. Moreover, the virus resides within B lymphocytes for extended periods without causing disease, and the majority of the population has had some exposure to EBV, as shown by serological tests.

User Nnenna
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