The importance of screening
Monitoring EBV for predictive, preventive and treatment purposes
Once inside the body …
the virus never leaves!
How does it stay in its host, despite having one of the best immune systems in the living world?
EBV has developed the ability to avoid being detected by the host’s natural immune system. Both virus and host are involved in this strategy. EBV controls part of the immune system by producing RNA fragments that control both the expression of genes in the virus and in the host cell. This includes modifying genes related to immunity and specific cellular activities. This is similar to the virus taking control of the cell in which it is located. Some of the virus’ other proteins act as lures for the immune system, making it believe that it needs to switch to anti-inflammatory mode, which obviously supports the virus’ own escape strategy.
To remain in the human body for life, EBV sets up different “strategies”, switching between latent phases (where it seems inactive) and lytic phases (where it is active). These different strategies lead to different immune responses depending on the patient’s immune profile and background.
In some cases, the “chronic” risk of the immune response to the EBV virus may require that, from time to time, the type of ongoing strategy be identified to regulate the immune response and reduce viral replication and/or viral protein production. This is especially true during the acute or progressive stages. In a predictive and preventive approach, the purpose of such monitoring would be to prevent, delay or reduce the risk of developing EBV-related diseases.
Infographic: the life cycle of the virus
Better understand the life cycle of the virus and its impact on immune function (infographic for health professionals, students, expert patients).
See infographic
End the diagnostic delay
The major issue with EBV is that the infection, including mononucleosis, can go completely unnoticed.
Changing EBV monitoring practices
One of our objectives with DetectEBV is to make EBV screening part of the routine practice of health care providers.