A CBC shows atypical B-lymphocytes and positive Monospot; EBV serology is positive. What is the presumptive diagnosis?

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Multiple Choice

A CBC shows atypical B-lymphocytes and positive Monospot; EBV serology is positive. What is the presumptive diagnosis?

This scenario demonstrates infectious mononucleosis due to Epstein-Barr virus. Atypical B-lymphocytes appear when EBV activates B cells, and the immune response often produces heterophile antibodies detectable by Monospot, which becomes positive in most acute EBV infections. EBV-specific serology confirming the virus further supports the diagnosis. The combined pattern of atypical lymphocytes, a positive Monospot, and positive EBV serology is highly characteristic for EBV-induced infectious mononucleosis, as opposed to a general viral infection, iron deficiency anemia, or a bacterial infection, which would not produce this same constellation of findings.

This scenario demonstrates infectious mononucleosis due to Epstein-Barr virus. Atypical B-lymphocytes appear when EBV activates B cells, and the immune response often produces heterophile antibodies detectable by Monospot, which becomes positive in most acute EBV infections. EBV-specific serology confirming the virus further supports the diagnosis. The combined pattern of atypical lymphocytes, a positive Monospot, and positive EBV serology is highly characteristic for EBV-induced infectious mononucleosis, as opposed to a general viral infection, iron deficiency anemia, or a bacterial infection, which would not produce this same constellation of findings.

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