Diffuse Pneumonia Associated with Infectious Mononucleosis: Detection of Epstein-Barr Virus in Lung Tissue by In Situ Hybridization

• Published in: Clinical infectious diseases Vol. 22; no. 3; pp. 578 - 579
• Main Authors: Sriskandan, Shiranee, Labrecque, Louise G., Schofield, John
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Chicago, IL The University of Chicago Press 01-03-1996; University of Chicago Press
• Subjects: Adult; Antibodies, Viral - blood; Biological and medical sciences; Biopsies; Brief Reports; Diseases; DNA, Viral - analysis; Epstein Barr virus infections; Epstein-Barr virus; Herpesvirus 4, Human - isolation & purification; Human herpesvirus 4; Human viral diseases; Humans; In Situ Hybridization; Infectious diseases; Infectious mononucleosis; Infectious Mononucleosis - pathology; Infectious Mononucleosis - virology; Lung - pathology; Lung - virology; Lungs; Lymphocytes; Male; Medical sciences; Pneumonia, Viral - pathology; Pneumonia, Viral - virology; Viral diseases; Viral diseases of the respiratory system and ent viral diseases; Viral pneumonia; Gammaherpesvirinae; Human; Lung disease; Pneumonia; Respiratory disease; Herpesviridae; Lung; Epstein Barr virus; Infectious mononucleosis; Infection; Virus; Microbiological investigation; Viral disease; Complication; Diagnosis; Molecular biology
• ISSN: 1058-4838; 1537-6591
• DOI: 10.1093/clinids/22.3.578

In adults pulmonary involvement during acute infectious mononucleosis is rare, and the primary cause of pneumonitis is not always clear. A 34-year-old man presented with a 2-week history of fever, sore throat, and malaise. He had had a dry cough with breathlessness during physical exertion in the second week of his illness, and amoxicillin was prescribed by his family doctor; after this therapy was started, a macular rash developed across the upper trunk. The patient was febrile and had widespread lymphadenopathy, exudative tonsillitis. and a palpable spleen. Oxygen saturation while the patient was breathing room air was only 93%. A chest radiograph revealed airspace shadowing in both lower zones. Laboratory studies disclosed the following values: hemoglobin, 14.3 g/dL; leukocytes, 6,800mm super(3) (72% lymphocytes, most of which were atypical on examination of a smear); alkaline phosphatase, 194 U/L; and aspartate aminotransferase. 188 U/L. A Paul-Bunnell test for heterophil antibodies was positive.