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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:

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)

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