title: Epstein-Barr virus associated with episodes of recurrent tonsillitis.
abstract: A group of patients with a history of recurrent tonsillitis were observed during an acute episode to determine the cause of the infection. The microbial pathogen that was consistently implicated was the Epstein-Barr virus. Seventeen (65%) of 26 patients exhibited a substantial seroconversion to the early antigen of Epstein-Barr-virus-infected lymphoblastoid cells (P3HR-1). We conclude that there is a high incidence of tonsillitis associated with the Epstein-Barr virus. The propensity of the virus for the palatine tonsils, a rich source of B cells, in suggested. Furthermore, the value of monitoring early antigen titers to confirm the nature of the infection is apparent, bearing relevance to future studies of this virus.
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000914:Antibodies, Viral / Q000032:analysis; D000956:Antigens, Viral / Q000032:analysis; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005455:Fluorescent Antibody Technique; D004854:Herpesvirus 4, Human / Q000276:immunology / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D006801:Humans; D007070:Immunoglobulin A / Q000032:analysis; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000032:analysis; D007075:Immunoglobulin M / Q000032:analysis; D007244:Infectious Mononucleosis / Q000276:immunology / Q000382:microbiology; D012008:Recurrence; D013291:Streptococcus / Q000302:isolation & purification; D014069:Tonsillitis / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology / Q000382:microbiology*
chemical_list: D000914:Antibodies, Viral; D000956:Antigens, Viral; D007070:Immunoglobulin A; D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D007075:Immunoglobulin M