Prophylaxis
So far there are no vaccines against Pfeiffer’s glandular fever caused by the Epstein-Barr virus, so that only avoiding infected persons is a preventive measure. However, this is impossible due to the high rate of infection of the population with the virus and the unspecific course of an infection.
Postinfectious immunity
As mentioned above, antibodies are formed during an initial infection, which usually provide the infected person with lifelong immunity. In immunocompromised persons, reactivations can occur. However, the reasons for this are not yet sufficiently understood.
The human pathogenic Epstein-Barr virus is a double-stranded DNA virus. It belongs to the gamma herpes viruses, a subfamily characterized by a narrow host spectrum. Gamma herpes viruses typically infect T or B lymphocytes, i.e. special defense cells (white blood cells) of the immune system.
The duration of virus replication varies. In addition, this group leads to cell proliferation, can survive (med. persist) in lymphoid cells (white blood cells), which is called latency stage, and reactivates what is called recurrence or relapse, depending on the course of the virus’ resurgence, with or without symptoms.
The Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is the cause of infectious mononucleosis, also known as kissing disease, since the Epstein-Barr virus is often transmitted by kissing among young adults. In addition, Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) can cause benign enlargement and swelling of lymph nodes (lymphomas) and, in immunocompromised patients, particular tumors. Like all herpes viruses, the Epstein-Barr virus can survive and be reactivated in infected host cells for the rest of a person’s life after initial infection of the host