The Infectious Mononucleosis Cell

Abstract

Eleven patients with infectious mononucleosis were studied at weekly intervals with autoradiography using C -formate and tritiated thymidine. The number of cells labeled declined from the onset of the disease and was completely normal by the 45th day. Correlation between C14 formate and tritiated thymidine labeling was observed, and discussed from the viewpoint of early and late DNA synthesis. The heterophile antibody titer did correlate with the per cent of infectious mononucleosis cells labeled with tritiated thymidine, but not with those labeled with C14 formate. The discrepancy between DNA synthesis and mitoses is discussed in relation to viral DNA synthesis and cellular kinetics.