ˈɛvɪdəns ðæt vˈaɪɚɹəl ɪnfˈɛkʃən mˈeɪ plˈeɪ ɐ ɹˈoʊl æz ɐ kˈɔːz ɔːɹ tɹˈɪɡɚɹ ʌv ˌiːˌɛfˈiː wʌz ɡɹˈeɪtli ɹˌiːɪnfˈoːɹst baɪ ðə stˈʌdi dᵻɹˈɛktᵻd baɪ tˈoʊbɪn ɪnðə vˈaɪɹəs lˈæbɹətˌɔːɹi ʌv tˈɛksəs tʃˈɪldɹənz hˈɑːspɪɾəl.
Evidence that viral infection may play a role as a cause or trigger of EFE was greatly reinforced by the study directed by Towbin in the virus laboratory of Texas Children's Hospital.