New Medical Possibilities

A recent study completed in December, 2007, suggests that a new vaccine designed to target Epstein-Barr virus may prevent the onset of infectious mononucleosis - commonly known as mono or glandular fever. The study was conducted in Belgium and sponsored by a Belgian pharmaceutical company there.

What Is Epstein-Barr Virus?

Epstein - Barr virus (EBV) is a member of the herpes virus group and one of the most common viruses in humans. Nearly all adults in developed countries have been infected at some point in their lives. While it can remain in a person's body without causing any type of illness, EPV most commonly causes infectious mononucleosis within 30 to 40 percent of adolescents after contracting the virus. The disease usually manifests with a sore throat, swollen glands, fever and listlessness. Should it become more extreme, then the spleen and liver may become enlarged causing abdominal pain. The throat may begin to close up indicating severe swelling of the lymph nodes which in turn can close the airway. In milder cases, rest and time will deal with the symptoms while in the more serious cases, a doctor's assistance is recommended.

Mono and More

But mono isn't the only way EBV can manifest. It is also associated with numerous other diseases, the most serious of which are lymphomas and other lymphoproliferative diseases in people with compromised immune systems - such as those who have had transplants. Regardless the frequency of EBV infections and infectious mononucleosis, this study is the first to offer the possibility of prevention through vaccine.

Etienne M. Sokal, MD, PhD, and several colleagues at various Belgian institutions worked together to develop the vaccine which targets glycoprotein 350, a protein which enables the entry of Epstein-Barr virus into immune system cells. There was an 18-month observation period of individuals participating in the trails during which it was noted that the proportion of symptomatic EBV infections was reduced from 10 percent (9 in 91) in the control group to 2 percent (two in 90) in the vaccinated group. This showed that those who did not receive the vaccine were nearly 5 times more likely to develop infectious mononucleosis.

Larger-Scale Testing May Provide Answers

Dr. Sokal has suggested that the next step should be "large-scale studies on the benefit in healthy subjects and ability to prevent acute EBV infections and post-transplant lymphoproliferative diseases in transplant patients." He added, "There is currently no possibility to prevent or to treat acute mononucleosis, which has remained so far an unmet medical problem. This vaccine may decrease the socio-economic impact of acute mononucleosis."

The history of the development of a vaccine to address EBV has been slow and fraught with problems. These results provide encouragement that it is possible to prevent infectious mononucleosis. The study also provides a framework for future trials which would address the prevention of more serious consequences of the Epstein-Barr virus.