DNA and RNA Synthesis of Circulating Atypical Lymphocytes in Infectious Mononucleosis

Abstract

Abstract The percentages of mononuclear cells synthesizing DNA and RNA in serial studies of blood from 13 patients with infectious mononucleosis were determined. Early in the disease a high percentage of atypical lymphocytes were in DNA synthesis but this percentage decreased rapidly as the disease progressed. Late in the disease many atypical lymphocytes were still present but few, if any, were synthesizing DNA. Similar results were found for RNA synthesis. Presumably active proliferation of atypical cells in the tissues is restricted to an early period of the disease, whereas release of such atypical cells may continue for a considerable period.