title: Epstein-Barr virus and cytomegalovirus antibodies in infectious mononucleosis.
abstract: A method has been evolved for the demonstration of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) and cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection in 83 cases of infectious mononucleosis. Serum samples were tested for EBV IgM, anti-VCA IgG, anti-EBNA, CMV IgM and CMV IgG antibodies. An acute-phase sample (or samples) and a convalescence sample were examined in each case, and in 44 cases an additional samples was examined 5-12 months after the illness. Since the different antibodies showed characteristic differences in both titre and persistence, a reliable serodiagnosis has become possible. Acute EBV infection is characterized by the presence of EBV-VCA IgG and EBV IgG antibodies and the lack of anti-EBNA. The latter becomes demonstrable as late as the 4th to 5th month after infection. Mean age of the patients was 19 years. EBV infection was demonstrated in 65%, CMV infection in 18% of the cases. In 12% double infection seemed to be probable.
mesh_terms: D000208:Acute Disease; D000914:Antibodies, Viral / Q000032:analysis*; D003587:Cytomegalovirus / Q000276:immunology*; D005260:Female; D004854:Herpesvirus 4, Human / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000032:analysis; D007075:Immunoglobulin M / Q000032:analysis; D007244:Infectious Mononucleosis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000276:immunology / Q000382:microbiology*; D008297:Male; D012698:Serologic Tests
chemical_list: D000914:Antibodies, Viral; D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D007075:Immunoglobulin M