Infectious Mononucleosis
Also written as EBV.
The heterophile antibody (Monospot) test is for infectious mononucleosis.
Infectious Mononucleosis
- Key concepts: EBV pathogenesis · Morphology · Clinical features · Complications · EBV and malignancy
- Infectious mononucleosis is an acute, self-limited disease of adolescents and young adults caused by Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) , a herpesvirus. It is characterised by fever, sore throat, generalised lymphadenitis, and a lymphocytosis of acti
- Epidemiology — EBV is ubiquitous. In the developing world, primary infection occurs in early childhood and is nearly universal but mostly asymptomatic. In developed countries with better hygiene, infection is delayed to adolescence or young
- Transmission — direct oral contact ( "kissing disease" ). The virus initially infects oropharyngeal epithelial cells, then spreads to B cells in underlying lymphoid tissue.
- B cell infection takes two forms:
Read this in White Cell Disorders — Must-Know Notes
Infectious Mononucleosis (Glandular Fever)
- EBV infects oropharyngeal epithelial cells → spreads to B lymphocytes in tonsillar tissue
- B cells become immortalized and proliferate massively
- CD8+ cytotoxic T cells respond aggressively to destroy infected B cells
- The reactive T cells are the atypical lymphocytes (Downey cells) seen on blood film
- Clinical disease is largely immune-mediated — the T cell response causes symptoms
Read this in EXAM: Vaccines & Antivirals, Rabies, CMV & EBV, Adenovirus & Enteroviruses
What our notes say
- The heterophile antibody (Monospot) test is for infectious mononucleosis. (Internal Medicine Rheumatology CAT: 30 MCQs and 5 short answer questions)
- EBV is the cause of infectious mononucleosis and is strongly associated with several malignancies including Burkitt's lymphoma and nasopharyngeal carcinoma. (EXAM: Vaccines & Antivirals, Rabies, CMV & EBV, Adenovirus & Enteroviruses)
- EPSTEIN-BARR VIRUS (EBV)Associated with: Burkitt lymphoma AND infectious mononucleosis * — both caused by EBV. (MBChB Year 3 Medical Virology Exam Notes: HSV, CMV, EBV)
- Can produce heterophil-negative infectious mononucleosis syndrome (similar to EBV but heterophil antibodies are absent) (Herpesviridae: HSV-1, HSV-2 Pathogenesis & Clinical Diseases)
- An infectious mononucleosis-like syndrome may occur during primary infection (Medical Virology & Mycology Paper Two 2022/2023 — MKU MBMM 3300 Questions & Answ)
- At the age of 13 years, he experienced splenic rupture as a complication for infectious mononucleosis and underwent emergency splenectomy. (hsd haematology — Past Paper Questions & Answers)
Study material on Infectious Mononucleosis
- White Cell Disorders — Must-Know Notes
- Hematology MCQs
- Here are all 45 questions, complete with full stems, choices, and answers.
- hematopathology
- Herpesviridae: HSV-1, HSV-2 Pathogenesis & Clinical Diseases
Practice questions on Infectious Mononucleosis
Both Burkitt's lymphoma and infectious mononucleosis are caused by what virus?
- Cytomegalovirus
- Epstein-Barr virus
- Varicella-zoster virus
- Herpes simplex-1
Answer: B. EBV causes both infectious mononucleosis (kissing disease) and Burkitt's lymphoma (malignant B-cell tumor). Both involve B-lymphocyte tropism. EBV also causes nasopharyngeal carcinoma and Hodgkin's lymphoma. ---