Hematologic differences in heterophile-positive and heterophile-negative infectious mononucleosis

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Abstract
Infectious mononucleosis (IM) due to all causes is characterized by atypical lymphocytosis. We sought to compare hematologic parameters of infectious mononucleosis due to Epstein–Barr virus (EBV) infection (heterophile antibody (HA) positive) with mononucleosis due to other causes. Mono‐Latex Slide Agglutination Test results and complete blood counts (CBC) of 147 patients with mononucleosis were retrospectively analyzed. Leukocyte count, absolute lymphocyte count, and presence of atypical lymphocytes in EBV‐positive and EBV‐negative groups were statistically compared. We analyzed 68 EBV‐positive and 79 EBV‐negative cases. EBV‐positive patients were significantly younger than EBV‐negative patients were. Mean total WBC count and mean absolute lymphocyte count were significantly higher in EBV‐positive patients. Absolute lymphocytosis, absolute leukocytosis, and atypical lymphocytosis were also significantly more frequent in EBV‐positive patients. Leukopenia was more frequently seen in EBV‐negative patients. Am. J. Hematol. 76:315–318, 2004.