Beating Chronic Epstein-Barr Infection with Naturopathic Medicine

The Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is a common pathogen for humans, spread by intimate contact. This virus infects at least 90% of the world population, and half of all children have been exposed to it by age five. Infection with EBV may be expressed differently, depending on geographical location and ethnicity.  To complicate things even more, exposure to compounds from certain plants like Euphorbia tirucalli appear to promote cancers and lymphoma during infection with EBV.

Infectious Mononucleosis is Caused by Epstein-Barr Virus

In the United States, acute infection usually appears as a syndrome called infectious mononucleosis. Folks in the throes of infectious mononucleosis experience fatigue, chronic fever, sore throat, and swollen cervical glands (lymphadenopathy). These symptoms stick around for about three weeks and are occasionally accompanied by other more intense complicationslike enlarged liver or spleen.

Barring extraordinary circumstances, recovery is usually complete. However, those infected become carriers for the rest of their lives. This means that though these people appear healthy, the virus is still there, and may be shed in the saliva. In fact, studies show that up to 25% of previously infected adults still shed virus. Controversy exists regarding the possible association of EBV with chronic fatigue syndrome and fibromyalgia.

Epstein-Barr Virus Hides in B-Lymphocytes

The virus is good at hiding out in cells of the upper respiratory and immune systems. Researchers are still trying to understand how this latency works and why, in some folks, reactivation occurs. Apparently there are hereditary components as well as environmental triggers.

Some genetic variations in individuals may allow the virus to hide in B-lymphocytes and turn off elements that normally kill infected cells. These antibody-producing white blood cells then act as a reservoir for future infections. From time to time, they arrive in the nasopharyngeal region, where they lyse (pop), littering local epithelial tissue with virus. Those tissues then become infected.

Stress Reactivates Epstein-Barr Virus Infection

Physical and emotional stresses appear to play a crucial role in the reactivation, and smoldering infection of EBV. Several studies with subjects ranging from astronauts to college students have shown that as individuals are stressed, saliva levels of EBV increase. One relatively recent study correlated low socioeconomic position with increased infection and chronic virus shedding. According to this study, females with little education had consistently higher levels of active virus. There was also a higher incidence in non-Caucasian groups.  EBV reactivation has also been correlated with maternal depression.

Chronic EBV Diagnosed with a Blood Draw

Those with chronic EBV infections may experience varying degrees of fatigue, fever, lymph node enlargement, and myalgia. 

Blood serology generally analyzes antibody response to:

• ·         Early Antigen (VCA)
• ·         Viral Capsid Antigen (Immunoglobulin M)
• ·         Viral Capsid Antigen (Immunoglobulin G)
• ·         Antibody to Nuclear Antigen (EBNA)

Elevated levels of immunoglobulin G directed against early antigen are a prominent indication of reactivated EBV.   Signs of reactivation may not necessarily manifest in the patient feeling ill effects. This may be why the spread of EBV is so insidious.  The US CDC has a great site explaining this…

Treating Epstein-Barr Virus with Herbs and Nutrients

I’ll list some important materials but I’m not going to give dosage instructions...  Treating EBV is a serious situation that should involve a capable health care professional. For a specific plan tailored to your condition please contact my office or search the official AANP site for a naturopathic physician in your area.

Do research the following list –but please enlist your doctor when taking these…

Vitamin D3     -especially in the form of concentrated drops.     MS EBV & Vitamin D3

Vitamin C    Another link…

CoQ10

Alpha Lipoic Acid

Calcium/Mag/Zinc

Astragalus membranaceus  

Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera)

Rhodiola rosea

Additional References

Kushwaha, S., S. Roy, et al. (2012). "Chemotypical variations in Withania somnifera lead to differentially modulated immune response in BALB/c mice." Vaccine 30(6): 1083-1093.

                Withania somnifera (Ashwagandha) is a plant with known ethnomedicinal properties and its use in Ayurvedic medicine in India is well documented. The present investigation reports on immunomodulatory efficacy of aqueous-ethanol extracts of roots of three selected Withania somnifera chemotypes designated as NMITLI 101R, NMITLI 118R and NMITLI 128R. Each chemotype was administered 10-100 mg/kg orally to BALB/c mice once daily for 14 days. The immunomodulatory consequences were recorded by determining the humoral immune response with the help of hemagglutination, plaque forming cell assay and cellular response by measuring delayed type hypersensitivity reaction. Additionally, other immune parameters such as proliferation of T and B cells, intracellular and secreted Th1 and Th2 cytokines along with modulation in ROS production by peritoneal macrophages were monitored after feeding with lower doses (3-30 mg/kg/day) of these three chemotypes individually. NMITLI 101R incited both humoral and cellular immune response in terms of higher number of antibody producing cells and enhanced foot pad swelling at the 10mg dose as also dose dependent B and T cell proliferations. Levels of intracellular and secreted cytokines post-NMITLI 101R treatment illustrated generation of mixed Th1/Th2 response that remained more polarized towards Th1. This chemotype also generated maximum reactive oxygen species. NMITLI 118R provoked comparatively reduced immune response in all humoral and cellular parameters at lower doses but induced highly polarized Th1 cytokine response. In contrast, NMITLI 128R led to enhanced antibody production with minimal cellular response demonstrating marginally Th2 dominance at a lower dose. Taken together, it may therefore be concluded that there were distinct modulation in the immune response exhibited by the three chemotypes of Withania somnifera and NMITLI 101R appeared to possess a better immunostimulatory activity than the other chemotypes at lower doses.

Harikrishnan, R., C. Balasundaram, et al. (2012). "Immunomodulatory effect of Withania somnifera supplementation diet in the giant freshwater prawn Macrobrachium rosenbergii (de Man) against Aeromonas hydrophila." Fish Shellfish Immunol 32(1): 94-100.

                The effect of Withania somnifera extract supplementation diets on innate immune response in giant freshwater prawn Macrobrachium rosenbergii (de Man) against Aeromonas hydrophila was investigated. The bacterial clearance efficiency significantly increased in prawn fed with 0.1% and 1.0% doses of W. somnifera supplementation diet against pathogen from weeks 1-4 as compared to the control. The innate immune parameters such as, phenoloxidase activity, superoxide anion level, superoxide dismutase activity, nitrate, and nitrite concentrations were significantly enhanced in prawn fed with 0.1% and 1.0% doses of W. somnifera supplementation diet from weeks 1-4 against pathogen. The total hemocyte counts (THC) significantly increased in prawn fed with 0.1% and 1.0% doses diet from weeks 1-4 against pathogen as compared to the control. These results strongly suggested that administration of W. somnifera through supplementation diet positively enhances the innate immune system and enhanced survival rate in M. rosenbergii against A. hydrophila infection.

Yamada, K., P. Hung, et al. (2011). "A comparison of the immunostimulatory effects of the medicinal herbs Echinacea, Ashwagandha and Brahmi." J Ethnopharmacol 137(1): 231-235.

                AIM OF THE STUDY: Herbs, as food or medicine, can strengthen the body and increase its resistance to illnesses by acting on various components of the immune system. For example, Echinacea is noted for its ability to enhance immune function, primarily through activation of the innate immune responses. Here, we investigated the potential for two herbs commonly found in India, Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) and Brahmi (Bacopa monnieri), to enhance immune function and compared their effects to that of Echinacea. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sprague Dawley rats were fed a diet supplemented with 1% (w/w) Echinacea, Ashwagandha, or Brahmi for 4 weeks to examine their effects on immune function. RESULTS: The Brahmi diet stimulated more secretion of IgA and IgG in the serum compared to Echinacea or Ashwagandha. Whether or not lectin was present in the diet, the production of IgA, IgG and IgM in spleen lymphocytes increased with herbal supplements. The concentrations of IFN-gamma and IL-2 treated with LPS and ConA were significantly higher in the dietary herb than in the control. On the contrary, TNF-alpha production in rats receiving dietary herbal supplements was significantly lower compared to the control animals. CONCLUSION: Herbal remedies based on Echinacea, Brahmi, or Ashwagandha can enhance immune function by increasing immunoglobulin production. Furthermore, these herbal medicines might regulate antibody production by augmenting both Th1 and Th2 cytokine production.

Roxas, M. and J. Jurenka (2007). "Colds and influenza: a review of diagnosis and conventional, botanical, and nutritional considerations." Altern Med Rev 12(1): 25-48.

                The common cold is the leading cause of doctor visits in the United States and annually results in 189 million lost school days. In the course of one year the U.S. population contracts approximately 1 billion colds. Influenza infection is still a leading cause of morbidity and mortality, accounting for 20-25 million doctor visits and 36,000 deaths per year in the United States. Conventional therapies for colds and flu focus primarily on temporary symptom relief and include over-the-counter antipyretics, anti-inflammatories, and decongestants. Treatment for influenza also includes prescription antiviral agents and vaccines for prevention. This article reviews the common cold and influenza viruses, presents the conventional treatment options, and highlights select botanicals (Echinacea spp., Sambucus nigra, larch arabinogalactan, Astragalus membranaceous, Baptisia tinctoria, Allium sativa, Panax quinquefolium, Eleutherococcus senticosus, Andrographis paniculata, olive leaf extract, and Isatis tinctoria) and nutritional considerations (vitamins A and C, zinc, high lactoferrin whey protein, N-acetylcysteine, and DHEA) that may help in the prevention and treatment of these conditions.

Ko, H. C., B. L. Wei, et al. (2006). "The effect of medicinal plants used in Chinese folk medicine on RANTES secretion by virus-infected human epithelial cells." J Ethnopharmacol 107(2): 205-210.

                The accumulation of inflammatory cells in the infective sites has been reported to play a crucial role in the progression of chronic inflammation and multiple sclerosis after viral infection. In the present study, nine ethanol extracts of Forsythia suspensa Vahl. (Oleaceae), Lonicera japonica Thunb. (Caprifoliaceae), Isatis indigotica Fort. (Cruciferae), Strobilanthes cusia (Ness.) O. Kuntze (Acanthaceae), Astragalus membranaceus (Fisch.) Bge. (Leguminosae), Hedysarum polybotrys Hand.-Mazz. (Leguminosae), Andrographis paniculata (Burm. f.) Ness. (Acanthaceae), Glycyrrhiza uralensis Fischer. (Leguminosae) and Ligusticum wallichii Franch. (Umbelliferae), medicinal plants traditionally used in China for treating conditions likely to be associated with inflammation and viral infection, were screened for their effect on RANTES secretion by influenza A virus (H1N1)-infected human bronchial epithelial cells (A549). With exception of Lonicera japonica, Isatis indigotica, Astragalus membranaceus and Hedysarum polybotrys, all plants tested at concentration of 200 microg/ml possessed more than 50% suppressing effect on RANTES secretion by H1N1-infected A549 bronchial epithelial cells. Among the plants tested, Andrographis paniculata showed the most promising property to inhibit RANTES secretion with an IC(50) of 1.2 +/- 0.4 microg/ml while the next two were Glycyrrhiza uralensis and Forsythia suspensa (IC(50) ranging from 35 to 48 microg/ml).