In utero Epstein-Barr virus (infectious mononucleosis) infection

JAMA. 1981 Oct 2;246(14):1579-81.

Abstract

A male infant infected in utero with Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) demonstrated a syndrome of multiple congenital anomalies (micrognathia, cryptorchidism, central cataracts), hypotonia, thrombocytopenia, persistent monocytosis, proteinuria, and multiple areas of metaphysitis at birth. Lymphocytes were Epstein-Barr nuclear antigen (EBNA) positive (18%) and persisted in culture for three months. He had antibody to early antigen (anti-EA), IgM-viral capsid (anti-VCA), and EBNA (anti-EBNA) detectable at 22 days of age. All attempts to isolate infectious agents or to serologically identify other infectious causes for his syndrome were negative.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Abnormalities, Multiple / etiology*
  • Antigens, Viral / analysis*
  • Bone and Bones / abnormalities
  • Female
  • Herpesvirus 4, Human / immunology*
  • Humans
  • Infant, Newborn
  • Infectious Mononucleosis / congenital*
  • Infectious Mononucleosis / immunology
  • Male
  • Maternal-Fetal Exchange
  • Pregnancy
  • Pregnancy Complications, Infectious*
  • Syndrome

Substances

  • Antigens, Viral