B lymphocytopenia in infectious mononucleosis.
Changes in lymphocyte surface markers during Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) associated infectious mononucleosis (IM) were re-examined because (1) these changes may provide information about host immune restraints to the initiation of a malignant process and (2) problems in the identification of B lymphocytes were often not appreciated in previous observations. An acute and transient reduction of IgM- and IgD-bearing B lymphocytes in the peripheral blood of these patients was demonstrated. The numbers of cells bearing Fc receptors and T lymphocytes were less consistently altered. It is hypothesized that the reduction of IgM- and IgD-bearing cells is caused by interference with the production of these cells or alternately their elimination by the virus or activated T lymphocytes.
D000328:Adult; D000914:Antibodies, Viral / Q000032:analysis; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D002462:Cell Membrane / Q000276:immunology; D004854:Herpesvirus 4, Human / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D007072:Immunoglobulin D / Q000032:analysis; D007075:Immunoglobulin M / Q000032:analysis; D007244:Infectious Mononucleosis / Q000150:complications / Q000276:immunology*; D007958:Leukocyte Count; D008231:Lymphopenia / Q000209:etiology / Q000276:immunology*; D011961:Receptors, Fc / Q000032:analysis; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology
D000914:Antibodies, Viral; D007072:Immunoglobulin D; D007075:Immunoglobulin M; D011961:Receptors, Fc