Infectious Mononucleosis - Pathology

Pathology of Infectious Mononucleosis (Epstein-Barr Virus)

1. Infectious Mononucleosis Yuzbasheva Nihal 221B

2. Infectious mononucleosis is an acute, self-limited disease of adolescents and young adults that is caused by Epstein- Barr virus (EBV), a member of the herpesvirus family.

3. EBV is ubiquitous in all human populations . In the developing world, EBV infection in early childhood is nearly universal. At this age, symptomatic disease is uncommon , and even though infected hosts mount an immune response, more than half continue to shed virus. By contrast, in developed countries with better standards of hygiene, infection usually is delayed until adolescence or young adulthood. For unclear reasons , only about 20% of healthy seropositive persons in developed countries shed the virus, and only about 50% of those who are exposed to the virus acquire the infection.

4. Atypical lymphocytes in infectious mononucleosis-peripheral blood smear. The cell on the left is a normal small resting lymphocyte with a compact nucleus and scant cytoplasm. By contrast, theatypical lymphocyte on the right has abundant cytoplasm and a large nucleus with dispersed chromatin.

5. LYMPHOADENOPATHY

6. Classification or Reed-Sternberg Cells

7. Splenomegaly

8. Ultimately, the diagnosis depends on the following findings, in increasing order of specificity: ( 1) lymphocytosis with the characteristic atypical lymphocytes in the peripheral blood (2) a positive heterophil reaction ( Monospot test ), (3 ) a rising titer of antibodies specific for EBV antigens (viral capsid antigens, early antigens, or Epstein-Barr nuclear antigen).

9. X-linked lymphoproliferative syndrome

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