title: Studies on the presence of antibodies to EB virus and other herpesviruses in normal children and in infectious mononucleosis.
abstract: Children free from infectious disease have been examined by indirect immunofluorescence for the presence of antibodies to the intracellular capsid antigen of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV). In the first year of life 46%, between 2 and 6 years of age 66%, and between 7 and 14 years 91%, of the children proved positive. The corresponding percentages for the presence of antibodies to cytomegalovirus (CMV) and herpes simplex virus were about 50%, irrespective of the children's age. Serum samples from 69 patients suffering from infectious mononucleosis (IM) were tested for anti-EBV antibodies. Of the 29 Paul-Bunnell-positive patients 22 had antibodies, 11 of them in high titres (greater than 1 : 80). Of the 40 Paul-Bunnell-negative cases only 21 had antibodies, 8 in high titres. Of the Paul-Bunnell-negative cases, 73% were found to have anti-CMV antibodies, 32% in high titre. The respective percentages for the Paul-Bunnell-positive cases were 42% and 10%.
mesh_terms: D000208:Acute Disease; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000914:Antibodies, Viral / Q000032:analysis*; D000956:Antigens, Viral; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003289:Convalescence; D003587:Cytomegalovirus / Q000276:immunology*; D005455:Fluorescent Antibody Technique; D004854:Herpesvirus 4, Human / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D006814:Hungary; D007223:Infant; D007244:Infectious Mononucleosis / Q000276:immunology*; D018139:Simplexvirus / Q000276:immunology*; D014764:Viral Proteins / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: D000914:Antibodies, Viral; D000956:Antigens, Viral; D014764:Viral Proteins