CrowdSpeak: infectious mononucleosis

Should we be focusing all our attention on infectious mononucleosis? #MSResearch #CrowdSpeak #CrowdacureMS


"As part of Charcot Project 2 we are proposing using viral shedding of EBV as a readout for antiviral drugs targeting EBV. If famciclovir suppresses viral shedding in the saliva it may be suitable as a treatment for infectious mononucleosis. This hasn't escaped our attention, nor has the case report below. This is why IM will be a major focus of the Charcot Project going forward."

Goldani. Treatment of severe infectious mononucleosis with famciclovir. J Infect. 2002 Feb;44(2):92-3.

We report a patient with severe acute infectious mononucleosis who was successfully treated with famciclovir. A 15-year-old male was admitted with a 6-week history of fever, malaise, generalized lymphadenopathy, and hepatosplenomegaly, the patient was acutely ill with a temperature of 39.0 degrees C. Oropharyngeal examination revealed enlarged tonsils partially obstructing the airways. EBV serology obtained during admission showed a positive Monospot test, virus capsid antigen IgM, 1:320, Epstein-Barr nuclear and early antigen, negative. After 72 hours of treatment with famciclovir(500 mg t.i.d.), the patient was afebrile with important regression of the lymphadenopathy, enlarged tonsils and hepatosplenomegaly. Because acute infectious mononucleosis may be associated with extensive and prolonged disease, the potential therapeutic role of famciclovir in the treatment of severe forms of the disease deserves further studies.


"Please note we simply can't take Charcot Project 2 forward without our own data on EBV shedding in the saliva. Having our own data will allow us to do accurate power calculations and will hopefully be able to convince the reviewers' that we have all the necessary lab assays working. This is why we are asking you to help us raise the money to do the lab work for this study. I sincerely hope you can help."


"If everyone who visited our site donated £1 will get to our target within a week. As always I would like to thank those of you who have already donated so kindly. Thank you."

Click here to find out more!

"If this work inspires you please send the link to anyone you know who has a personal link with MS. I can't tell you how important it is for us not give up on the viral hypothesis of MS. I have a dream, a dream of a world free of MS; the Charcot Project is our attempt at making that dream come true."


CoI: Team G will be recipients of a grant from Crowdacure to perform this research

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