Detection of cell-free Epstein-Barr virus DNA in serum during acute infectious mononucleosis.
Infectious Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is shed from the oropharynx of infected hosts intermittently throughout life, but in the peripheral circulation the viral genome characteristically maintains itself in a noninfectious, cell-associated form. Sera from 125 persons with heterophil-positive acute infectious mononucleosis or EBV-associated nasopharyngeal carcinoma or who were healthy virus carriers were examined for evidence of cell-free viral DNA. EBV DNA suggesting viremia was detected in 11 (27%) of 41 infectious mononucleosis patients by polymerase chain reaction analysis but infrequently in healthy seropositive carriers and patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma. In serial samples examined from 2 patients, serum EBV DNA was detected over a 3-day interval. Viral DNA was found in concert with one serologic marker of acute infection, EBV-specific polymeric IgA, that could affect patterns of viral spread and clinical symptomatology.
Department of Infectious Diseases, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN 38101-0318.
Y J
YJ
Gan
J L
JL
Sullivan
J W
JW
Sixbey
D000208:Acute Disease; D000914:Antibodies, Viral / Q000097:blood; D002353:Carrier State / Q000097:blood / Q000382:microbiology*; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000097:blood*; D006525:Hepatitis, Viral, Human / Q000150:complications; D004854:Herpesvirus 4, Human / Q000235:genetics* / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D007070:Immunoglobulin A / Q000097:blood; D007244:Infectious Mononucleosis / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications / Q000382:microbiology*; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D014766:Viremia / Q000097:blood / Q000382:microbiology*
D000914:Antibodies, Viral; D004279:DNA, Viral; D007070:Immunoglobulin A