Corticosteroid therapy in Epstein-Barr virus infection. Effect on lymphocyte class, subset, and response to early antigen.

Abstract

Corticosteroid treatment of impending upper airway obstruction due to Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infectious mononucleosis did not alter the pattern of lymphocyte changes induced by this viral infection during the first two weeks following administration of prednisone. By 12 weeks, 11 treated students had significantly fewer lymphocytes, including B, total T, helper, and T-suppressor cell numbers, than 11 untreated EBV-infected students, and values were closer to those noted in uninfected controls. Corticosteroid therapy did not alter the serologic response to early antigens of EBV. Fever and lymphadenopathy resolved somewhat more quickly in treated students.

• Authors: A Brandfonbrener, A Epstein, S Wu, J Phair
• Journal: Archives of internal medicine (Arch Intern Med) Vol. 146 Issue 2 Pg. 337-9 (Feb 1986) ISSN: 0003-9926 [Print] United States
• PMID: 3004369 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't, Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.)

Chemical References

• Antibodies, Viral
• Antigens, Viral
• Prednisone

Topics

• Adolescent
• Adult
• Antibodies, Viral (analysis)
• Antigens, Viral (analysis)
• Herpesvirus 4, Human (immunology)
• Humans
• Infectious Mononucleosis (drug therapy)
• Leukocyte Count (drug effects)
• Lymphocytes
• Prednisone (therapeutic use)