Question

Bloodstream and Circulatory Infections:

1. A common infection of the hematopoietic system is infectious mononucleosis. Describe the following features related to the pathogenesis of the microbe causing infectious mononucleosis:

1. What is the causative microbe?
2. How is this microbe transmitted to humans?
3. What age group is most likely to show signs and symptoms of the infectious disease?
4. What are the typical signs and symptoms?
5. What cells are infected by this microbe?
6. What is the primary form of treatment for acute infectious mononucleosis?

Answer 1

a) Causative microbe of Infectious mononucleosis - Epstein-Barr Virus.

b) It is transmitted through saliva by kissing or maybe through cough or sneeze, or by sharing utensils like glass or water bottle used by someone having Infectious mononucleosis.

c) Age group is most likely to show signs and symptoms of the infectious disease is 15-24 yrs. Patients in early childhood or older patients may not show symptoms like sore throat, swollen lymph nodes or enlarged spleen.

d) Signs and symptoms of Infectious Mononucleosis are:-

1) Fever, chills

2) Fatigue, body ache

3) Sore throat

4) Swollen lymph nodes

5) Swollen tonsils

6)Headache, nausea

7) Enlarged spleen

e) B- lymphocytes are infected by the Ebstein-Barr virus and against which CD8 T-cells are produced by the host immune system.

f) Since Infectious Mononucleosis is self-limiting, therefore only symptomatic or supportive treatment is given.

NSAIDs are given in case of fever(paracetamol) and pain (ibuprofen).

Corticosteroids are given in case of swollen tonsils or throat pain.

IV corticosteroids are given in case of airway obstruction.

Antibiotics are given in case of secondary bacterial infection.