Glandular fever

Common childhood vaccines include the three-in-one measles, mumps and rubella and the diphtheria vaccine. Infectious mononucleosis, also knov/n as glandular fever, is caused by the Epstein-Barr virus and no vaccine is available. 

Similar to enteric viruses, protozoa require a suitable host for replication but can persist within nonhost environments for significant time periods (Sidhu and Toze, 2009). The main source of human protozoan is from direct contact with humans although foodbome sources can also represent a significant vehicle (Sidhu and Toze, 2009 Thompson et al., 2008). All of these human pathogenic protozoa cause diarrhea-like symptoms except Toxoplasma, which causes fetal damage and glandular fever-like syndrome (Dumetre and Darde, 2003). 

Hybridisation can thus be used to produce probes, for example, for the detection of oligonucleotides in chick embryo tissue or of Epstein-Barr viruses (glandular fever) in transplant recipients - by detection of specific RNA strands. DNA dendrimers and corresponding detection devices have meanwhile become commercially available (Genisphere company). Fluorescence-labelled polynucleotide dendrimers have also been used for signal intensification in DNA microchip technology [59]. 

Allen, U.R., Bass, B.H. Fatal hepatic necrosis in glandular fever. J. Clin. Path. 1963 16 337-341... 

Epstein—Barr virus (EBV) Enveloped, icosahedral particles 150nm in diameter Infections occur by salivary exchange. In young children they are commonly asymptomatic but the virus persists in a latent form in lymphocytes. Infection delayed until adolescence often results in glandular fever. In tropical Africa, a severe EBV infection early in life predisposes the child to malignant facial tumours (Burkitt s lymphoma)... 

The Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is a herpesvirus that is associated with the formation of lymphomas and nasopharyngeal carcinomas. It infects most humans but infections in childhood are generally asymptomatic. In young adults it can cause glandular fever, a chronic condition in which there is proliferation of white blood cells. After infection the virus becomes latent in B lymphocytes for the lifetime of the individual. In vitro the infection of B lymphocytes by EBV results in their transformation and proliferation. Normally in vivo, this EBV-induced proliferation of B cells is kept under control by the action of T-killer lymphocytes. In some African children infection with EBV induces Burkitt s lymphoma, a particularly malignant tumour of the jaw. The characteristic occurrence of this condition in hot humid regions of Africa where mosquitoes flourish has led to the hypothesis that infection with EBV has to be followed by malaria before the lymphomas will develop. Suppression of... 

Dysphagia, and/or rash, and/or stiff neck - may indicate glandular fever or meningitis... 

Glandular fever (infectious mononucleosis) a viral infection, the features of which are sore throat, swollen lymph glands and fever. It is more common in adolescents. Patients normally recover within 6 weeks without treatment, but they may feel tired and depressed for several months afterwards. 

Initial outbreaks in children typically manifest as gingivostomatitis, with lesions all over the inside of the mouth and symptoms of systemic infection. Primary infection in adolescents manifests as pharyngitis, with lesions in the throat and symptoms similar to glandular fever. 

Viruses have been implicated in the development of at least two cancers. Infection with the human papilloma virus is a major risk factor for cervical cancer, and like any sexually transmitted disease, the cancer is more common amongst those who have had numerous partners and is almost unknown in nuns. But the most well-established link is between Burkitt s lymphoma and the Epstein-Barr virus (one of the herpes viruses) in African countries. In developed countries, this virus causes glandular fever (infectious mononucleosis), and the different progress of the disease in Africans is apparently due to an immune system that is usually suppressed through a long-term assault by malaria parasites like Plasmodium falciparum. 

Brown GL, Kanware BS (1967) Drug rashes in glandular fever. Lancet 2 1418 Budd MA, Parker CW, Norden CW (1964) Evaluation of intradermal skin tests in penicillin hypersensitivity. JAMA 190 203... 

DNA viruses Viral DNA becomes incorporated into host cell DNA and codes for RNA which in turn codes for the structural proteins and enzymes that the virus required to reproduce itself. (Examples herpesviruses (chickenpox, shingles, cold sores/genital herpes), glandular fever, adenovirus). 

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