Persisting illness and fatigue in adults with evidence of Epstein-Barr virus infection.
Clinical, serologic, virologic, and immunologic evaluations for 31 adults with chronic illness and fatigue suggested that 23 had persisting Epstein-Barr virus infection. Among these 23 patients, cellular immune mechanisms were generally normal, but 4 had mild immunoglobulin deficiencies. However, 20 patients had abnormal serologic profiles specific for Epstein-Barr virus shown by significantly elevated titers of antibodies to the viral capsid antigen or early antigen, or by a deficiency of late-appearing antibodies. In 11 of 15 patients tested, circulating immune complexes were found. Circulating interferon was not found in 18 patients tested, but the activity of 2-5 oligoadenylate synthetase, an interferon-induced enzyme, was increased in 5 patients studied. Of 19 patients, 18 had persisting suppressor T-cell activity typically found in patients recovering from acute infectious mononucleosis. We believe that the Epstein-Barr virus may be associated with chronic illness in adults.
Straus
S E
SE
Tosato
G
G
Armstrong
G
G
Lawley
T
T
Preble
O T
OT
Henle
W
W
Davey
R
R
Pearson
G
G
Epstein
J
J
Brus
I
I
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000914:Antibodies, Viral / Q000032:analysis; D000936:Antigen-Antibody Complex / Q000032:analysis; D002455:Cell Division; D002908:Chronic Disease; D005221:Fatigue / Q000209:etiology*; D005260:Female; D006566:Herpesviridae Infections / Q000276:immunology / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000523:psychology; D004854:Herpesvirus 4, Human / Q000276:immunology / Q000302:isolation & purification; D006650:Histocompatibility Testing; D006801:Humans; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000032:analysis; D007075:Immunoglobulin M / Q000032:analysis; D007244:Infectious Mononucleosis / Q000503:physiopathology; D007372:Interferons / Q000097:blood; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000145:classification / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009497:Neurotic Disorders / Q000209:etiology
D000914:Antibodies, Viral; D000936:Antigen-Antibody Complex; D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D007075:Immunoglobulin M; D007372:Interferons