T- and B-Cells in Peripheral Blood during Infectious Mononucleosis

Abstract

Twenty-five serial determinations of T-cells and B-cells in peripheral blood, serum immunoglobulins, and titers of heterophile antibody were performed for six college students with infectious mononucleosis (IM). The marked increase in total numbers of T- and B-cells found in the acute phase of the disease correlated with the lymphocytosis of 1M. Relative proportions of T- and B-cells, however, did not change during progression of the disease. Levels of serum IgM and IgG were increased in many patients, but such elevations could not be correlated with B-cell values. The presence of lymphocytotoxic antibodies in sera of patients with 1M was confirmed. These data suggest that both the T- and B-cell systems are strongly stimulated in patients with IM.