[Serologic diagnosis of infectious mononucleosis in children]

In 116 children admitted to hospital with tonsillitis of varying types and suspected infectious mononucleosis resp., antibodies, of the IgM class against the EB virus VCA were detected in 27%, a quadruple increase of IgG antibodies in 20% and a negative finding of IgG antibodies also in a second serum sample in 24%. In another group of 51 children admitted with suspected infectious mononucleosis IgM antibodies were found in 47%, a fourfold increase of IgG in 53% and a negative finding of IgG in 10%. In sub-groups of 25 and 30 children resp. from the above groups it was possible to compare the results of specific serology of the EB virus with tests for heterophil antibodies in two serum samples. IgM antibodies were detected in 40% and 50% of children resp., a fourfold rise of IgG in 20% and 67% of children resp., the absence of IgG in 20% and 7% of children resp. Paul-Bunnell reaction was positive in 64% and 60% resp., the OCH-test in 60% and 70% resp., Tomcsik reaction in 16% in the first sub-group and the IM-test in 60% in the second sub-group. In younger children (1-5 years) positive Paul-Bunnell and Tomcsik reactions were less frequent. The IM-test was not positive in any of the children in this age group. An EB-virus aetiology was proved in all types of tonsillitis, least frequently in angina streptococcia (11%), most frequently in angina pseudomembranosa (46%) and mononucleosis infectiosa susp. (54%).