Gamma globulin combined with acyclovir for children with infectious mononucleosis and their effect on immune function.

BACKGROUND

Infectious mononucleosis (IM) is characterized by pharyngitis, cervical lymphadenopathy, fatigue and fever. IM is most commonly seen in primary Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection, with higher occurrence in children.

OBJECTIVE

To explore the value of gamma globulin combined with acyclovir for IM children and their impact on immune function.

METHODS

This prospective randomized controlled study recruited 111 children under 14 years old with IM from Anhui Provincial Children's Hospital during March 2019 and March 2022. Among them, 11 children dropped out, and 100 eligible children were randomized 1:1 into a control group and a study group. The control group received acyclovir, and the study group received additional gamma globulin. The baseline data, clinical efficacy, immune function, and adverse reactions were collected and compared.

RESULTS

The study group had a shorter antipyretic time, lymph node reduction time, pharyngitis improvement time, and hospital stay compared to the control group (P < 0.05). The study group yielded lower levels of total white blood cell count, alanine aminotransferase, and creatine kinase-MB than the control group (P < 0.05). After treatment, the levels of CD3+ and CD8+ were lower, and the levels of CD4+, CD4+/CD8+, IgA, and IgG were higher in the study group than those in the control group (all P < 0.05). The incidence of adverse reactions between the two groups was comparable (14.00% vs. 24.00%). The positive rates of EBV-specific antibody and nuclear antigen in the study group were lower than those in the control group (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

The combined treatment of gamma globulin and acyclovir is a promising alternative for patients with IM compared to acyclovir alone. This combined regimen shortens the duration of clinical manifestations in children, promotes the recovery of laboratory indices, improves clinical efficacy, and enhances immune function. Furthermore, its safety profile is acceptable, warranting its further promotion.