Post‐perfusion syndrome due to Epstein‐Barr virus

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Abstract
The post‐perfusion syndrome is rarely due to Epstein‐Barr virus (EBV), because most adult patients already carry protective neutralizing antibodies in their sera. Data are presented from two patients in whom heterophil‐antibody‐positive infectious mononucleosis developed 35 and 48 days after open‐heart surgery. The diagnoses of their predominantly febrile illnesses were delayed because of late appearance of atypical lymphocytes and heterophil antibodies. EBV‐specific antibody responses were also delayed, with peak titers appearing several weeks or months after onset. The differences in evolution of the present cases, compared to those of classic infectious mononucleosis, were presumably due to different portals of entry (blood stream versus oropharynx).