Researchers discover viral link to MS Nov 20, 2008
MICHAEL PENDER: The hope from this work is that by boosting, well by methods of controlling EBV infection, such as by vaccination, boosting immunity by EBV vaccination, may prevent MS but also controlling EBV infection in other ways, such as anti-viral drugs, may be beneficial in people who already have MS and may help to stop the disease getting worse. But more work is needed to be done. (ABC Online)
Seroprevalence of HHV-8, CMV, and EBV among the general population in Ghana, West Africa Aug 18, 2008
The results presented herein indicate that HHV-8, CMV and EBV infections are hyperendemic in both HIV-seronegative and HIV-seropositive Ghanaians, and suggest primarily a horizontal route of transmission of these three viral infections in Ghana. The complete article is available as a. (BioMed Central)
Antiviral Therapy Helps Children At Risk For Post-transplant Lymphoproliferative Disease Aug 5, 2008
Still, they concluded, "Valganciclovir has been shown safe in the current study and the population of children treated did not develop PTLD, warranting future trials to confirm a positive effect in the management of EBV infection.". In an accompanying editorial, Michael Green and George Mazariegos of the University of Pittsburgh, discuss their experience lowering immune suppression for patients with persistently high EBV loads, instead of using antiviral therapy. (Science Daily)
Vaccine Shows Promise In Preventing Mono Dec 12, 2007
Despite the frequency of EBV infections and infectious mononucleosis, the new study is the first to suggest the efficacy of a vaccine in preventing infectious mononucleosis ... During the 18-month observation period, the proportion of symptomatic EBV infections was reduced from 10 percent (nine out of 91) in the control group to 2 percent (two out of 90) in the vaccinated group, indicating that those who did not receive the vaccine were almost 5 times more likely to develop infectious... (Science Daily)
