Epstein-Barr viral infection (infectious mononucleosis) is an acute infectious viral disease. It is characterized by fever, enlarged lymph nodes, damage to the lymphatic ring of the oropharynx, hepatolienal syndrome.
RelevanceEpstein-Barr viral infection occurs mainly in childhood and is an indicator of the immunodeficiency state of the body. The causative agent is the herpes virus, which is sensitive to lymphoid tissue. It is in it that the virus reproduces. It is believed that this virus can contribute to the occurrence of cancer of the oral cavity, Burkit's lymphoma. Infectious mononucleosis syndrome can occur with another pathogen that is sensitive to lymphoid tissue.
Epidemiology
Infection occurs from a patient or person who has a human infection during close contact. The most susceptible to the disease are children aged 2-7 years in the winter-spring period.
Pathogenesis
Epstein-Barr viral infection is susceptible to the lymphoid system. Therefore, the pathogen is introduced more often through the lymphoid ring of the pharynx. The occurrence of edema and redness of the mucosa, difficulty in nasal breathing are associated with this phenomenon.
From the site of introduction, the virus spreads throughout the body through blood and lymph. In this case, lymph nodes, spleen, liver, bone marrow are affected, reactive hyperplastic processes develop, and organs grow in volume.
Epstein-Barr Virus Infection: Symptoms
After 5-20 days after infection, the temperature rises sharply to 40 ° C, the state of health worsens, nasal breathing is difficult, and a sore throat appears. The neck is noticeably deformed due to enlarged lymph nodes. At the same time, all peripheral and visceral nodes increase. Tonsils swollen, swollen, with white-yellow or dirty gray coating. This leads to difficulty breathing. The most diverse rash appears on the skin without a clear localization. Hepatosplenomegaly is a common occurrence. Manifested by a slight yellowness of the skin and sclera, signs of hepatitis.
Diagnostics
During a blood test, leukocytosis is detected up to 20-30 thousand units, an increase in the number of monocytes, an increase in bilirubin, AlAT. During PCR, the virus DNA is detected in the blood serum with the determination of its quantity. With high efficiency, hemagglutination, latex-agglutination, ELISA, IgG and IgM reactions are used.
Epstein-Barr viral infection: treatment
The use in the acute period of interferons, acyclovir, cycloferon gives conflicting results. With the addition of a secondary purulent infection and in severe forms of the disease, it is advisable to use antibiotics (acyclovir) and steroids: in moderate doses, prednisone. The use of ampicillin is contraindicated, since it induces the occurrence of an autoimmune reaction.
Forecast
In the territory of the former USSR, Epstein-Barr viral infection did not give a single fatal outcome. Cases of fatal outcome as a result of complications have been described: rupture of the spleen, encephalitis, myocarditis. In rare cases, chronic infection is noted.