EBV

Question 1

What is the Pathogen causes glandular fever?

Answer 1

-Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)- human herpes virus (majority cases)

Question 2

What groups of people are most commonly affected?

Answer 2

Adolescents and children (mainly)

Question 3

What is the incubation period for EBV?

Answer 3

Incubation period= 4-8 weeks

Question 4

What symptoms may present if a patient has EBV?

Answer 4

Few symptoms. If any:

Mild fever/fatigue

Sore throat

Upper lid oedema

Nausea

Cough/photophobia

Question 5

What investigations might you carry out to diagnose an EBV infection?

Answer 5

Investigation:

• Monospot test/Paul-Bunnell
• EBV specific antibody tests
• FBC
• PCR
• Throat Swabs
• 70-90% patients - produce IM heterophile antibodies

Question 6

How is an EBV virus infection treated?

Answer 6

SUPPORTIVE: Avoid alcohol, Analgesia, Avoid contact sports (splenic rupture)

ANTIBIOTIC: Acyclovir

Question 7

What are the possible complications due to an EBV infection?

Answer 7

Haemolytic Anaemia

Upper airway obstruction

Splenic rupture (rare)

Gastric lymphoma

Question 8

What is the prognosis for an EBV virus infection?

Answer 8

• usually full recovery/asymptomatic
• splenic rupture if recognised quickly- prognosis good
• Fatigue and myalgia (pain in muscles) may persist after

Question 9

What is the structure of the EBV virus?

Answer 9

Enveloped, dsDNA

Question 10

What is the mechanism of action of the EBV virus?

Answer 10

Infects B cells, causes T cell proliferation

Question 11

What diagnosis could be made by looking at this image?

Answer 11

EBV as- ATYPICAL lymphocytes