Plasma magnesium is inversely associated with Epstein-Barr virus load in peripheral blood and Burkitt lymphoma in Uganda.

•XMEN disease involves intracellular Mg2+ deficiency, impaired EBV control, and high risk of lymphoma.•Ugandan women with poorly controlled EBV infection and children with Burkitt lymphoma were more likely to have low plasma Mg2+.•Cellular uptake of Mg2+ by lymphocytes from healthy donors correlates with extracellular Mg2+ concentration.•Reduced plasma Mg2+, perhaps due to dietary deficiency, may impair EBV control and increase the risk of Burkitt lymphoma in Africa.