[Infectious mononucleosis]

The diagnosis of infectious mononucleosis is usually based on the clinical signs and symptoms, characteristic changes in the peripheral blood picture and the results of specific and non-specific serologic tests. However, despite of these precise diagnostic criteria this disease is often misdiagnosed, misunderstood and therefore treated in a wrong way. Therefore, because of our long lasting clinical experience based on a very large number of cases, we have decided to present the results of our studies on the clinical features of this interesting disease as well as some laboratory findings (serum bilirubin level and AspAt, AlAt, AP and GGTP activity). The analysis of clinical and biochemical markers comprised 500 patients (236 males and 264 females) aged 15-35, in whom mononucleosis had been diagnosed according to the commonly approved criteria. The clinical signs and symptoms appearing during the first week of the disease, the results of the laboratory findings and the therapy are described in detail. It has been stressed, that the diagnosis of mononucleosis should be considered mainly in young patients with fever persistent for over one week accompanied by inflammatory changes in the throat and enlargement of the lymph nodes, liver and spleen and other pathologic signs and symptoms. Blood picture and the results of non-specific and specific serologic tests are helpful in the final diagnosis of this interesting disease.