Chronic T-cell lymphocytosis with neutropenia. Its association with Epstein-Barr virus infection

Chronic T-cell lymphocytosis with neutropenia has primarily been reported in adults. We have cared for a 14-year-old patient with this condition for over five years. This patient consistently had greater than 90% lymphocytes in his differential cell count. The majority of these cells had the OKT8 phenotype. Serologic studies demonstrated evidence for a chronic Epstein-Barr infection with elevated antibody titers to both early antigen and to the viral capsid antigen. Patients presenting with this condition should be carefully evaluated for possible viral infection.