Infectious Mononucleosis Mimicking Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL): a Case Report

Abstract

Infectious mononucleosis (IM), usually caused by Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), is not rare among populations. Fever, pharyngotonsilitis and lymphadenopathy are its major presentations. Since EBV mainly targets lymphomononuclear cells and the reticuloendothelial system, it might be mistaken with hematological malignancies. The case presented in this article showed a very high similarity to an acute lymphoblastic leukemia, which complicated the diagnostic work-up. The histopathological data and clinical course of IM patients are not usually distinctive; hence, early work-up for EBV-associated IM is suggested.