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Positive Epstein-Barr virus heterophile antibody tests in patients with primary human immunodeficiency virus infection

2001; Elsevier BV; Volume: 111; Issue: 3 Linguagem: Inglês

10.1016/s0002-9343(01)00804-x

1555-7162

John A Vidrih, Rochelle P. Walensky, Paul E. Sax, Kenneth A. Freedberg,

Parvovirus B19 Infection Studies

To describe three cases of primary human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection in patients who had laboratory studies consistent with infectious mononucleosis.We describe 3 patients who presented with a viral syndrome, had a positive heterophile antibody test, and were diagnosed with primary HIV infection.The results of Epstein-Barr virus serology studies in each of these patients were consistent with chronic, but not acute, Epstein-Barr virus infection. HIV antibody tests were negative, and HIV RNA was >500,000 copies/mL in each patient.Clinicians should recognize that a positive heterophile antibody test in the setting of an acute viral illness does not exclude the diagnosis of primary HIV infection, although reactivation of latent Epstein-Barr virus infection cannot be ruled out. Patients presenting with nonspecific viral syndromes should be assessed for HIV risk behaviors and tested for primary HIV infection when appropriate.