Detection of Epstein-Barr virus in lymphoid tissues of patients with infectious mononucleosis by in situ hybridization. |
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Authors: | E Prange J C Trautmann H Kreipe H J Radzun M R Parwaresch |
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Affiliation: | Second Department of Internal Medicine, Christian-Albrechts-University, Kiel, Germany. |
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Abstract: | Although the immunological response during infectious mononucleosis (IMN) has been studied in detail, little is known about the spread of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) in lymphoid organs or the topographical distribution of the infected cells. In this study, EBV was detected in 11 lymph nodes, 4 tonsils, and 1 spleen of 16 patients with IMN. The predominant cell type positive for the EBV genome was identified as small lymphocytes localized chiefly within typical T areas, preferentially in perifollicular and interfollicular regions of the lymph node. A few endothelia of epithelioid venules were also found to be positive. Furthermore, a small number of sinus lining cells of lymph nodes exhibited labelling. Altogether, only a small number of cells, not exceeding 1 per cent of all cells, were infected with EBV. Our results show that only a small number of lymphocytes carry the EBV and that besides B lymphocytes, other cell constituents of lymphatic tissues are infected by EBV during IMN. |
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Keywords: | Epstein-Barr virus nfectious mononucleosis in situ hybridization |
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