Conjunctival lymphocytic nodule associated with the Epstein-Barr virus

Am J Ophthalmol. 1991 Nov 15;112(5):567-71. doi: 10.1016/s0002-9394(14)76860-6.

Abstract

Infection with Epstein-Barr virus has been reported to have numerous systemic and ocular manifestations. In this study, a 38-year-old man with acute infectious mononucleosis was examined for a painless left red eye of three days' duration. The patient had a two-week history of fatigue, low-grade fever, sore throat, and lymphadenopathy. Serologic evaluation was indicative of an acute primary infection with Epstein-Barr virus. A large, salmon-colored, supranasal bulbar conjunctival mass was observed in the left eye. No associated conjunctivitis was present. Biopsy of the conjunctival lesion disclosed a dense leukocytic infiltrate, which consisted primarily of mature lymphocytes and plasma cells. Immunocytochemical evaluation of the tissue with monoclonal antisera disclosed Epstein-Barr latent membrane protein and nuclear protein 2 in a small fraction of the cells constituting the infiltrate. The conjunctival infiltrate resolved completely within one month, paralleling the regression of the patient's lymphadenopathy.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Acute Disease
  • Adult
  • Antigens, Viral / analysis
  • Antigens, Viral / metabolism
  • Capsid Proteins*
  • Conjunctiva / pathology*
  • Conjunctival Diseases / metabolism
  • Conjunctival Diseases / microbiology*
  • Epstein-Barr Virus Nuclear Antigens
  • Fluorescent Antibody Technique
  • Herpesvirus 4, Human / immunology
  • Humans
  • Immunoglobulin G / analysis
  • Infectious Mononucleosis* / microbiology
  • Lymphocytes / metabolism
  • Lymphocytes / pathology*
  • Male
  • Viral Matrix Proteins*

Substances

  • Antigens, Viral
  • Capsid Proteins
  • EBV-associated membrane antigen, Epstein-Barr virus
  • Epstein-Barr Virus Nuclear Antigens
  • Epstein-Barr viral capsid antigen
  • Immunoglobulin G
  • Viral Matrix Proteins