Millenium Health Tips

Infectious mononucleosis is the most typical clinical form of primary infection by EBV. As with the other HV infection in children is much milder than that occurring in adolescents or adults.

The incubation period of about a month. After a prodromal period, characterized by chills, sweating, fever and malaise, the disease occurs, which in its most typical form includes the triad of sore throat, fever and lymphadenopathy.

They also appear frequently hepatosplenomegaly and rash. Most cases remits spontaneously within 3 to 4 weeks, although fatigue can last a little longer.

There are some important neurological complications (meningoencephalitis and Guillain Barre syndrome), laryngeal obstruction or rupture of the spleen. In most cases the recovery is complete by symptomatic treatment.

Since the virus immortalizes and transforms cells in culture, has always suspected the involvement of this agent in Endemic Burkitt’s lymphoma. This lymphoma is endemic in some regions of Africa has in its cells virions and viral DNA sequences. It was thought that act by activating the EBV oncogene c-myc, the presence of a gene in the virus itself.

Recently it is suspected that the role played by this virus is that of cofactor as in sporadic LB sequences are not viruses. It appears that infection with Plasmodium, which causes a disturbance important role “caretaker” of T cells may be the main factor for the development of this tumor in these endemic areas.

The characteristic serological response in patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma Undifferentiated also been associated with this virus. LBE Unlike the cells in this tumor, also endemic in the Far East are of epithelial lineage. Again we think that there is also another factor in the development of this tumor. Phorbol esters, a widely used medicinal herb may be the cofactor.

There is increasing evidence that immunosuppression or impaired function of T cells promotes the occurrence of lymphoproliferative disease in EBV-infected patients. Hairy leukoplakia in HIV-positive patients is one example.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) with chronic fatigue, fever, muscle weakness and inability to concentrate has tried to link with this virus. The only evidence of this association is at a certain elevation of antibody titers against the virus. Also described this syndrome in association with other viruses and the importance that the patient gave his disease. Therefore this association is unclear.

photo source: www.nature.com