Infectious mononucleosis and the Epstein-Barr virus.

Recent elucidation of the relationship between the Epstein-Barr virus and infectious mononucleosis has resulted in the development of new diagnostic serological tests, and has amplified our knowledge of the epidemiological and clinical aspects of the disease. The history, epidemiology, clinical characteristics, diagnostic features, and therapy of infectious mononucleosis are reviewed. This is done in the light of recent knowledge concerning the Epstein-Barr virus as well as previous studies employing the traditional diagnostic criteria of heterophil positivity, the classical clinical symdromes, and characteristic changes in the blood cell count. Immunological studies concerning host resistance and its occasional failure are reviewed with particular reference to T and B lymphocyte activity in the disease.