Epstein viral antigen

In contrast to antibacterial antibiotic therapy, inhibition of viral replication is usually difficult to achieve. Therefore preventive strategies, such as vaccination, are frequendy more successful and clinically important. However, vaccines are not available for all viruses furthermore, some viruses, such as Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) and cytomegalovirus (CMV), are ubiquitously present and usually not very pathogenic unless in an immunocompromised host. One strategy to combat viral infecdons in the immunocompromised host is the application of neutralizing mAbs. One such mAh is directed to the F protein of the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), which afflicts premature newborns with often severe pulmonary infections this mAh appears to be useful in such situations (91). Other mAbs to viral antigens are in development. 

A 55-year-old man with chronic lymphocytic leukemia and rheumatoid arthritis took methotrexate for 4 years and developed a B cell non-Hodgkin s lymphoma in the shoulder and axillary lymph nodes he had Epstein-Barr viral antigens in the serum. After radiation and chemotherapy had failed, complete remission was achieved with a combination of rituximab and EPOCH (etoposide -I- prednisone -I- vincristine -I-cyclophosphamide + doxorubicin). 

A number of studies have also assessed the capacity of the ISCOM vaccines to induce protection from challenge (assessed by survival, weight loss, virus isolation and clearance kinetics) [38]. Protection studies with experimental ISCOMs vaccine have been performed in various animal species[39, 40]. The most relevant results were obtained with ISCOMs containing viral antigens such as herpes (HSV-1), pseudorabies (PrV), bovine herpes virus type I (BHV-1), cytomegalovirus (CMV), Epstein Barr Virus (EBV) and rubella. Since 1992 the major areas of interest have been Retroviridae (HIV-1, -2, SIV, FIV and FeLV) and Orthomyxoviridae (various strains of influenza) [44]. For ISCOM vaccination, i.m. and s.c. routes of administration have mainly been used. 

Esterling, B.A. et al., Defensiveness, trait anxiety, and Epstein-Barr viral capsid antigen antibody titers in healthy college students, Health Psychol., 12, 132, 1993. 

Nephrotic patients (especially children) are prone to bacterial infections. Before antibiotics and corticosteroids were introduced into the therapy, pneumonia, peritonitis, and sepsis (usually caused by pneumococci) were the most frequent cause of death of nephrotic children with minimal change disease. Infections are more frequent in nephrotic children and after the age of 20 their prevalence markedly decreases because the majority of adults have antibodies against the capsular antigens of pneumococci. Infections remain an important complication of nephrotic syndrome in developing countries. In developed countries, nephrotic patients treated by immunosuppressive agents may frequently suffer from viral infections (mainly herpesvirus infections, e.g., cytomegalovirus and Epstein-Barr virus infections). 

Expression of viral tumor promoter genes Enhanced expression of Epstein-Barr early antigen Ohmori et al. [103] Upregulation of HPV oncoproteins by a variety of cytokines Lembo et al. [104]... 

ND = not determined EBNA = Epstein-Barr virus nuclear antigen VGA = EBV capsid antigen BZLEl = EBV latency-interrupting gene involved in the viral lytic cycle MSX = methionine sul-foximine MIX = methotrexate. 

Hui E, Taylor GS, Jia H, Ma BB, Chan SL, Ho R, Wong W, Wilson S, Johnson BE, Edwards C, Stocken DD, Rickinson AB, Steven NM, Chan AT. Phase 1 trial of recombinant modified vaccinia Ankara (MVAS) encoding Epstein-Bar viral mmor antigens in nasopharyngeal carcinoma patients. Cancer Res. 2013 73 1676-88. 

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