       Document 0214
 DOCN  M9630214
 TI    Effect of interferon-alpha therapy in a patient with common variable
       immunodeficiency and chronic Epstein-Barr virus infection.
 DT    9603
 AU    Toraldo R; D'Avanzo M; Tolone C; Canino G; Iafusco F; Notarangelo LD;
       Ugazio A; Cirillo C; Dipartimento di Pediatrica, II Universita di
       Napoli, Italy.
 SO    Pediatr Hematol Oncol. 1995 Sep-Oct;12(5):489-93. Unique Identifier :
       AIDSLINE MED/96093259
 AB    We report an 18-year-old boy with common variable immunodeficiency who
       presented with splenomegaly as well as left axillary and lateral
       cervical lymphadenopathy. Main laboratory investigations showed severe
       thrombocytopenia. Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) DNA was detected in the
       patient's throat-washing specimens and lymph node biopsy. Lymphocytes
       from the lymph node biopsy were also positive for EBV nuclear antigen.
       Serology for EBV and cytomegalovirus was negative. A therapeutic attempt
       with acyclovir did not influence the course of infection. Six months'
       treatment with human lymphoblastoid interferon-alpha (IFN alfa) brought
       about the normalization of clinical and hematologic conditions.
       Detection on throat-washing specimens carried out 1 year after therapy
       was negative. Our preliminary experience suggests that human
       lymphoblastoid IFN-alpha is a valid alternative in therapy of
       immunodeficient EB virus-infected patients.
 DE    Adolescence  Antiviral Agents/*THERAPEUTIC USE  Case Report  Chronic
       Disease  Common Variable Immunodeficiency/*THERAPY  Herpesviridae
       Infections/*THERAPY  *Herpesvirus 4, Human  Human
       Interferon-alpha/*THERAPEUTIC USE  Male  Tumor Virus Infections/*THERAPY
       JOURNAL ARTICLE

       SOURCE: National Library of Medicine.  NOTICE: This material may be
       protected by Copyright Law (Title 17, U.S.Code).

