MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia: Mononucleosis, photomicrograph of cell

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Mononucleosis, photomicrograph of cell

This picture shows large, atypical lymphocytes (white blood cells). These cells are seen in viral infections, most commonly caused by the Epstein-Barr virus (infectious mononucleosis), cytomegalovirus diseases, and occasionally infectious hepatitis. This is an example of a type I Downy cell.

Update Date: 9/18/2006

Updated by: Hilary M. Babcock, MD, Medical Director of Occupational Infection Control, Barnes-Jewish and St. Louis Children's Hospitals; Instructor of Medicine, Infectious Disease Division, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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