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Updated: Oct 4, 2026
Isolation and Quantification of Epstein-Barr Virus from the P3HR1 Cell Line
Published on: September 28, 2022
Positive Epstein-Barr virus heterophile antibody tests in patients with primary human immunodeficiency virus
J A Vidrih1, R P Walensky, P E Sax
1Department of Medicine, Section of General Internal Medicine and Clinical AIDS Program, Boston Medical Center, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.
Purpose:
To describe three cases of primary human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection in patients who had laboratory studies consistent with infectious mononucleosis.
Subjects:
We describe 3 patients who presented with a viral syndrome, had a positive heterophile antibody test, and were diagnosed with primary HIV infection.
Results:
The results of Epstein-Barr virus serology studies in each of these patients were consistent with chronic, but not acute, Epstein-Barr virus infection. HIV antibody tests were negative, and HIV RNA was >500,000 copies/mL in each patient.
Conclusions:
Clinicians should recognize that a positive heterophile antibody test in the setting of an acute viral illness does not exclude the diagnosis of primary HIV infection, although reactivation of latent Epstein-Barr virus infection cannot be ruled out. Patients presenting with nonspecific viral syndromes should be assessed for HIV risk behaviors and tested for primary HIV infection when appropriate.
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