A borderline inverse correlation was observed between the numbers of EBER+ and of CD8+ cells/mm2 (rho = −0.5, P = 0.054; Spearman's correlation) and between the numbers of EBER+CD20+ and CD56+ NK cells/mm2 (rho = −0.44, P = 0.09; Spearman's correlation), reinforcing the role of NK cells in the control of primary EBV infection (27). This evidence concerns the gene NCAM1 and Epstein-Barr virus infection.