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Separation of Immune Cell Subpopulations in Peripheral Blood Samples from Children with Infectious Mononucleosis
08:44

Separation of Immune Cell Subpopulations in Peripheral Blood Samples from Children with Infectious Mononucleosis

Published on: September 7, 2022

Epstein-Barr virus-associated infectious mononucleosis and risk factor analysis for complications in hospitalized

Ming-Han Tsai1, Chih-Yi Hsu, Meng-Hsiu Yen

  • 1Department of Pediatrics, Chang Gung Children's Hospital, Taoyuan, Taiwan.

Journal of Microbiology, Immunology, and Infection = Wei Mian Yu Gan Ran Za Zhi
|August 25, 2005
PubMed

Insights

Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-associated infectious mononucleosis (IM) in young children often presents with fever and enlarged liver/spleen. Female gender and specific lab values are risk factors for complications in EBV IM.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatrics
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Virology

Background:

  • Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) causes infectious mononucleosis (IM), a common childhood illness.
  • Clinical characteristics and complications of EBV-associated IM in Chinese children are not well-documented.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the clinical presentations of EBV-associated IM in Taiwanese children.
  • To identify risk factors for complications in pediatric EBV IM.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective analysis of 98 hospitalized children diagnosed with primary EBV infection (1998-2002).
  • Inclusion criteria: specific serologic markers for EBV, exclusion of other infections/diseases.
  • Data collected on clinical symptoms, laboratory findings, and complications.

Main Results:

  • Most patients (79%) were under 5 years old; male-to-female ratio was 2:1.
  • Common symptoms included fever (mean 10.3 days), cough/rhinorrhea, tonsillopharyngitis, lymphadenopathy, and hepatosplenomegaly.
  • Key lab findings: atypical lymphocytosis, elevated AST and ALT.
  • Complications occurred in ~20%, prolonging hospitalization; risk factors identified: female gender, absence of tonsillopharyngitis, low WBC count, and high AST.

Conclusions:

  • EBV-associated IM in young children presents with distinct clinical and laboratory features.
  • Identifying at-risk patients (female, specific symptoms/labs) is crucial for close monitoring and management to prevent severe outcomes.

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