In addition to the Pfeiffer’s glandular fever, the Virus can trigger cancer. German researchers have come in search of a vaccine is a decisive step forward.
More than 90 percent of the world population carry the Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV) – largely unnoticed. Because the Virus is well-adapted to the human body, and the immune system keeps the pathogen diligent in chess.
However, the Virus can also be seriously ill. In addition to the Pfeiffer’s glandular fever, EBV can also trigger cancer, such as Hodgkin’s lymphoma. Also auto-immune diseases such as Multiple sclerosis are all diseases caused by the Virus may be amplified. An effective Vaccine is not yet available, because the pathogen is difficult to grasp.
The vaccine a step closer
On the search for a vaccine against the Epstein-Barr Virus, researchers from the German cancer research center (Deutsches krebsforschungszentrum, DKFZ) have come to a decisive step forward.
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Glandular fever – is always harmless?
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Glandular fever – is always harmless?
A new approach for the development of a vaccine have to work in the Test with mice, in principle, informed the DKFZ in Heidelberg. The Central Problem is that the Virus runs in its life cycle in two different phases. Previous vaccine attempts focused only on one of the phases. The DKFZ researchers have focused, however, on both phases of life.
For their new approach, the researchers tested the particles with antigens to mice whose bone marrow was replaced by human bone marrow. As a result, the rodents are equipped with a largely human immune system. The such treated animals developed a response, therefore, a specific immune, and also against an infection with the Epstein-Barr Virus protected.
After this “breakthrough,” it now is to further develop the prototype and to test for the use in humans.