Abnormal Lymphocytes (‘Virocytes’) in Virus Diseases other than Infectious Mononucleosis

Abstract

Observations of abnormal lymphocytes in the peripheral blood of patients with infectious mononucleosis, virus hepatitis, virus pneumonia, herpes zoster, herpes simplex and roseola infantum are presented. Three types of these abnormal lymphocytes, conforming to the descr. by Downey, are observed. These 3 types are not exclusive of each other, but probably represent transitions from 1 type to the other. The type III cell, most rarely seen, is observed only for a matter of hrs. when the blood is examined in the early stages of illness. The abnormal lymphocyte is not specific for infectious mononucleosis but is found in a variety of virus diseases. In the virus diseases mentioned there is no qualitative difference in the appearance of these cells. In infectious mononucleosis there seems to be a quantitatively greater outpouring of these cells and a tendency to persist in the peripheral blood for greater periods of time. The name virocyte is proposed to connote this abnormal lymphocyte.