Epstein-Barr (EB) virus infection is associated with various tumors of lymphoid and epithelial origin. EB virus exists in most humans as a latent infection. EB virus latent infection-related genes play a key role in the EB virus latent infection, and also play an important role in promoting the occurrence and development of related tumors. This article will briefly introduce the characteristics of EB virus latent infection, the protein coding genes and non-coding genes related to EB virus latent infection (including EB virus nuclear antigen genes, EB virus latent membrane protein genes, EB virus encoded small RNA genes and EB virus microRNA genes), and the main functional mechanism of these EB virus latent infection-related genes in EB virus latent infection and subsequent tumorigenesis. The purpose is to providea theoretical basis for a comprehensive understanding of the EB virus latent infection and the mechanism of tumors caused by EB virus.