Chromosome aberrations, apoptosis, and DNA repair in peripheral blood lymphocytes in children with infectious mononucleosis
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Updated: Sep 29, 2026
Separation of Immune Cell Subpopulations in Peripheral Blood Samples from Children with Infectious Mononucleosis
Published on: September 7, 2022
O I Urazova1, V V Novitskii, L S Litvinova
1Department of Pathophysiology, Department of Childhood Infectious Diseases, Siberian State Medical University, Tomsk. urazova@mail2000.ru
Abstract:
Infectious mononucleosis is associated with suppression of lymphocyte apoptosis and accumulation of cells with chromosome aberrations in the peripheral blood. The type and severity of these aberrations do not depend on the etiological variant of infection and patient age. At the same time in 3-6-year-old children with infectious mononucleosis caused by Epstein-Barr virus we observed activation of DNA repair system in lymphoid cells.
Insights
Infectious mononucleosis suppresses lymphocyte apoptosis and causes chromosome aberrations. However, young children with Epstein-Barr virus-induced mononucleosis show activated DNA repair in lymphoid cells.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Genetics
- Virology
Background:
- Infectious mononucleosis is linked to lymphocyte apoptosis suppression.
- Peripheral blood cells in patients may exhibit chromosome aberrations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate lymphocyte apoptosis and chromosome aberrations in infectious mononucleosis.
- To examine DNA repair activation in lymphoid cells of children with Epstein-Barr virus-induced mononucleosis.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of lymphocyte apoptosis.
- Assessment of chromosome aberrations in peripheral blood.
- Evaluation of DNA repair system activation in lymphoid cells.
Main Results:
- Infectious mononucleosis suppresses lymphocyte apoptosis and leads to chromosome aberrations.
- The nature and severity of aberrations are independent of infection type and patient age.
- Children aged 3-6 years with Epstein-Barr virus mononucleosis exhibit activated DNA repair in lymphoid cells.
Conclusions:
- Infectious mononucleosis alters lymphocyte cell dynamics and genetic stability.
- Epstein-Barr virus infection in young children activates cellular defense mechanisms like DNA repair.
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