Research projects

Study on Infectious Mononucleosis in Munich (IMMUC)

About

Status:

Ongoing

Principal investigator:

Country:

Germany

Study start:

2017-03

Completion (planned):

2025-12

Last update:

2024-01-26

Research types:

Epidemiological research

Research areas:

Infections

Interventions:

Not applicable

Priv. Sector Partner:

Not available

Sponsors:

German Center for Infection Research (DZIF)

Links

Project website

Clinical trial website

Project description

Epstein-Barr-Virus (EBV) associated diseases are a severe and global health problem, and novel tools and targets for a better pathogenetic understanding, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention are clearly needed. Here we propose to use several novel experimental approaches to investigate immunological, virological, biochemical, and clinical features in an observational study on Munich infectious mononucleosis (IM) patients.

This study aims at identifying biomarkers and causative factors of protracted and/or complicated IM to facilitate the development of novel approaches to early diagnosis, therapy, and prevention of severe, life-threatening, and chronic EBV-associated diseases, including post-viral syndromes.

Two hundred patients with IM onset within the last four weeks were recruited from Munich health care institutions and were re-investigated at one and six months after the onset of symptoms. A novel diagnostic scoring system was developed to indicate the severity, complexity, and protraction of symptoms.

Investigated clinical parameters, including reported symptoms and physical signs of IM, as well as candidate risk factors in the medical history of patients and family members. Peripheral blood was analysed by established and novel analytical assays to determine the immunological and virological phenotypes of IM, and viral load was determined in mouthwashes.

(Description adapted from clinical trial website: see link above)

Patient cohort

Inectious mononucleosis (IM) onset within the last four weeks, with at least one of four typical clinical findings (tonsillopharyngitis, fever, lymphadenopathy, fatigue), and virological findings indicating primary Epstein-Barr-Virus (EBV) infection (EBV-specific antibodies, EBV DNA).

Patients enrolled: 200

Age group: 6 - 25 years (Children, Adults)

Research areas

4

Research types

1

Research networks

0

Working groups

1

People

1

Publications

1

Organisations

2

Research areas

Viral infections

Minute infectious agents whose genomes are composed of DNA or RNA, but not both. They are characterised by a lack of independent metabolism and the inability to replicate outside living host cells. Descripton adapted from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/mesh/68014780.

Research projects:

14

Publications:

18

Invasion of the host organism by microorganisms or their toxins or by parasites that can cause pathological conditions or diseases. Description adapted from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/mesh/68007239.

Research projects:

15

Publications:

20

Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)

Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is the type species of lymphocryptovirus, belonging to the subfamily of gammaherpesvirinae, infecting B-cells in humans. It is thought to be the causative agent of inectious mononucleosis (IM) and is strongly associated with oral hairy leukoplakia, burkitt lymphoma and other malignancies. IM is a common, acute infection usually caused by EBV. There is an increase in ...

Research projects:

Viruses belonging to the family of Herpesviridae, a family of enveloped, linear, double-stranded DNA viruses infecting a wide variety of animals. Subfamilies, based on biological characteristics, include: alphaherpesvirinae, betaherpesvirinae, gammaherpesvirinae. Description adapted from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/mesh/68006566 &...

Research projects:

11

Publications:

14