Innovative Doctor Utilizes Nutritional Protocol to Reverse EBV-Related Liver & Spleen Enlargement
The following is an abstract and summary of a full-length, in-depth article by Dana Flavin, M.D., that is currently in press and will be published in the summer issue of The Journal of Orthomolecular Medicine. Dr. Flavin's article is specifically focused on an innovative nutritional protocol she is successfully utilizing to manage Epstein Barr Virus (EBV) and the life-threatening enlargement of the liver and spleen that occurs in severe cases. EBV is the virus thought to be responsible for, or contributing to Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. Here, we present a summary of this material because of its vast and far-reaching implications.
Reversing Splenomegalies in Epstein Barr Virus Infected Children:
Mechanisms of Toxicity in Viral Diseases
by Dana F. Flavin, M.D., M.S., B.S.
Journal of Orthomolecular Medicine, Volume 21, Number 2, pp. 95 - 101, 2006
Abstract
The rapid reversal of splenomegaly (enlargement of the spleen) in Epstein Barr Virus (EBV) infected children and young adults was seen in over 50 patients treated with a combination therapy reducing reactive oxygen species, increasing interferon-gamma and decreasing free nitric oxide in lymphocytes. The patients showed dramatic improvement within 24 hours with successful remission of the disease and complete reversal of splenomegalies.
Summary
Viral infections with Epstein Barr Virus (EBV) are often seen in young adults, commonly peaking during puberty. It is often initially misdiagnosed as a flu, and later as Chronic Fatigue Syndrome or even depression. Mononucleosis is often responsible for general fatigue and malaise. Though less common in young children, the disease may often become more virulent, particularly in males, causing hepato and splenomegaly (enlargement of the liver and spleen) with mortality resulting from a rupture of the spleen causing rapid internal bleeding.
Two to three weeks after the onset of fever and malaise symptoms, pharyngitis and often posterior cervical lymph node enlargement or generalized lymphadenopathy set in. Liver function tests are also abnormal in more than 90% of the cases at this stage of the disease.
The basic cause of toxicity in EBV is from the generation of Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS). They are a product from the combination of the oxygen radicals from xanthine oxidase (XO), a flavin enzyme, and nitric oxide from the enzyme inducible Nitric Oxide Synthase (iNOS). It is known that XO is elevated in the blood of patients with EBV (and Hepatitis B) 200 times above normal levels.
In the presence of free iron, these radicals combine with the gas nitric oxide from iNOS (iNO) to form the toxic product peroxynitrite which can then rapidly convert to a series of further toxic substances. In males, testosterone also increases XO levels which most likely accounts for the increase in toxicity in boys.
Mononucleosis, an Epstein Barr Viral infection, is an infection that is treatable and rapidly reversible. By understanding the basic pathology and molecular biology of viral diseases we are now able to inhibit the toxicity of the disease while simultaneously increasing the immune defense to stop the viral replication.
For EBV infection mononucleosis we have been able to reduce the viral infection load, including reversing splenomegaly within hours using our treatment from our research on the disease's pathology. We were able to block specific biochemical targets to enhance the mobility of the lymphocytes out of the spleen as well as drastically decreasing the toxicity and the viral replication itself. The pharmacology of the individual nutrients elucidates the intricate interaction in this therapy and explains the dramatic improvement and successful reversal of all symptoms in this disease for a rapid return (24-48 hours) to optimal health.
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