Infectious mononucleosis

Infectious mononucleosis (monocytic angina, Filatova-Pfeiffer disease) is an acute disease (caused by the Epstein-Barr virus), characterized by angina, changes in lymphoid cells and hemopoiesis, changes in the blood formula, and the appearance of reactive lymphadenitis. Filatov NF described the disease for the first time. And Pfeiffer, in honor of which, the disease received its name.

Etiology of the disease

The disease develops as a result of the pathological action of the Epstein-Barr virus. The virus was isolated in 1964 by English scientists. This virus belongs to a variety of herpesviruses. The causative agent, penetrating into the body, penetrates into the lymphocytes, there is a blast-transformation of the cells.

The virus is transmitted from a sick person or carrier of the virus to the erased form of the disease and is released for several months after infection. The disease is transmitted by air, it is possible that the virus can get in contact, in a vertical way and under medical manipulations. In general, there is a stunted and mild form of the disease. In infants and young children, the disease is practically not observed, due to passive immunity. Disease of infectious mononucleosis often occurs in adolescence.

Infectious mononucleosis in adults is rare, since by the age of 35-40, specific antibodies to the Epstein-Barr virus can be detected in the blood. Seasonality of the disease is not observed, it is recorded throughout the year.
Getting through the respiratory tract, the virus penetrates into the mucous membrane of the nasopharynx, causing a reactive increase in lymph nodes and mucus edema. Intruding into the lymphocytes, the virus spreads throughout the body, causing changes in the lymphoid system and the appearance of mononuclear cells in the blood.

Infectious mononucleosis and its manifestations

From the time the virus enters the body before the onset of the disease occurs from a week to a month and a half. Initial manifestations can be a prodromal period. Clinical manifestations can be diverse. Typical for mononucleosis are angina, with marked hyperemia of throat, nasal congestion, the phenomenon of rhinitis, the reaction of lymph nodes, pain when swallowing, general malaise and the effects of intoxication. In some cases, there is an increase in the liver and spleen.

For the analysis of blood, high leukocytosis (up to 20x10 / 9 / L), a change in the blood formula with an increase in lymphocytes, eosinophils and neutrophils is characteristic.

Diagnostics

Infectious mononucleosis is diagnosed on the basis of the symptomatology of the disease and the determination in the blood of the characteristic cells of the disease - mononuclear cells. These specific cells have a large lymphocyte nucleus and a wide cytoplasm.

By duration, infectious mononucleosis lasts up to several weeks, the picture of blood comes back to normal in a few months. In rare cases, there may be repeated exacerbations, with an easy course, at intervals of several years. Complications of mononucleosis can be ruptures of an enlarged spleen, hepatitis, hemolysis.

Treatment

Infectious mononucleosis: treatment of this disease in a mild form, usually does not need the appointment of special drug therapy. Within a few days the patient's condition usually normalizes, the picture of blood comes back to normal. Symptomatic therapy is possible with a rise in temperature, severe angina and sore throat. With prolonged flow, hormone therapy is prescribed (prednisolone or other analogues).
The prognosis of the disease is usually favorable. Isolate the patient is not necessary, due to the low contagiousness of the disease. If the disease is severe, with internal organs affected, admission to hospital is indicated.