What Is Microbiology - Infectious Mononucleosis

​Infectious Mononucleosis 

Infectious mononucleosis is caused by Epstein Barr virus. The mode of transmission of Epstein Barr virus is due to saliva. 

Infectious mononucleosis may present with infection of the oropharygeal cells which later spread to B lymphocytes which lead to latent infection. Epstein Barr virus may also lead to mitogenesis of the B cells with immortalization of the B cells. 

Epstein Barr virus may lead to Epstein Barr virus associated tumor ( the present of Epstein Barr virus DNA in tumor) due to immortalization of B cells. 


The common symptoms and signs of infectious mononucleosis may include fatigue, headache, malaise, pharyngitis, fever, splenomegaly, raised liver enzyme and lymphadenopathy. 

The common complication of infectious mononucleosis may include nasopharyngeal carcinoma, Burkitt lymphoma and Hodgkin lymphoma as well as lymphoproliferative disorders. 

Diagnosis test such as Monospot test is important in diagnosing infectious mononucleosis related Epstein Barr virus. In this case, the heterophile antibody positive result ( positive monospot test) may confirm the disorder. Other test may include the identification of the Downey cells / atypical lymphocytes in the blood smear and Epstein Barr virus serological test.