Viral and bacterial Infections of the tonsils and / or pharynx 3

Question 1

What does EBV infect?

Answer 1

Infects oropharyngeal epithelium AND B lymphocytes

Question 2

EBV causes a life long latent infection in____________________

Answer 2

B lymphocytes

Question 3

How does EBV spread?

Answer 3

Spread by saliva

Question 4

Where is EBV mostly found?

Answer 4

Ubiquitous (everywhere). By adulthood almost everyone
is infected

Question 5

Symptoms of EBV in childhood? Explain why.

Answer 5

Childhood often asymptomatic/ non-specific.

This is because symptoms are due to host immune response. So since young children have a weaker immune response, it means
fewer symptoms.

Question 6

Symptoms of EBV in adolescents and young adults

Answer 6

Adolescents and young adults can develop classical
‘Infectious
Mononucleosis” or glandular fever symptoms

Question 7

Name viruses that can cause similar clinical syndrome as EBV

Answer 7

Cytomegalovirus
Primary HIV infection

Question 8

Name an outdated test that was previously used to test foe EBV infection

Answer 8

Monospot/Paul-Bennet test

Question 9

How to diagnose Infectious Mononucleosis?

Answer 9

Antibodies to viral antigens: IgM to Viral Capsid Antigen (VCA)- only produced early in infection

Question 10

How to confirm previous infection with EBV?

Answer 10

Antibodies to viral antigens: IgG to EBV Nuclear Antigen- only produced at least 6 months after infection

Question 11

Which test can you use to determine viral load of EBV in blood for diagnosis and monitoring of EBV-associated
malignancies?

Answer 11

PCR