Variable presence of circulating cytokines in patients with sporadic or x-linked lymphoproliferative disease with fatal infectious mononucleosis

Abstract

Infectious mononucleosis (IM), caused by primary infection of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), is a self-limiting benign lymphoproliferative disease.1 Rare cases, however, develop severe or fatal IM (SIM or FIM) either sporadically or with X-linked lymphoproliferative disease (XLP).1,2 The pathogenetic mechanism) responsible for SIM or FIM remain unknown mainly owing to the limited number of cases and the difficulties in establishing a precise diagnosis. © 1993 Informa UK Ltd All rights reserved: reproduction in whole or part not permitted.