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Updated: Sep 12, 2025

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

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Infectious Mononucleosis

Henry H Balfour1, Madeline R Meirhaeghe2

  • 1Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, Department of Pediatrics, University of Minnesota, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN, 55455, USA. balfo001@umn.edu.

Current Topics in Microbiology and Immunology
|August 8, 2025
PubMed

Insights

Infectious mononucleosis, often caused by Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), presents with common symptoms in young adults. EBV-specific antibody profiles are crucial for accurate diagnosis and staging of this widespread infection.

Area of Science:

  • Virology
  • Immunology
  • Infectious Diseases

Background:

  • Infectious mononucleosis is a common illness characterized by sore throat, fatigue, fever, and swollen lymph nodes.
  • It is primarily caused by Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), a ubiquitous gamma herpesvirus infecting over 90% of the global population.
  • Transmission typically occurs through oral contact in adolescents and young adults, with acquisition routes in preadolescents remaining unclear.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To summarize the clinical presentation and diagnosis of infectious mononucleosis.
  • To highlight the role of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) in the disease.
  • To discuss diagnostic challenges and long-term implications of EBV infection.

Main Methods:

  • Clinical presentation analysis.
  • Heterophile antibody testing.
  • EBV-specific antibody profiling for diagnosis and staging.

Main Results:

  • Infectious mononucleosis is commonly diagnosed based on clinical symptoms and heterophile antibody tests.
  • Heterophile antibodies lack specificity and may not be present in all patients, particularly children.
  • EBV-specific antibody profiles offer superior accuracy for confirming and staging EBV infections.

Conclusions:

  • Accurate diagnosis of infectious mononucleosis relies on a combination of clinical signs and serological testing.
  • EBV-specific antibody profiles are the definitive method for confirming EBV infection and determining its stage.
  • Long-term consequences of EBV infection include increased risk for certain cancers, autoimmune diseases, and complications in individuals with primary immunodeficiency.

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