Role Epstein barr virus in chronic tonsillitis in Karbala City

Abstract EN

Ninety five tonsil specimens and blood samples were collected from patients suffering from chronic tonsillitis who had attended Al-Hussain General Teaching Hospital in Karbala during the period from October 2010 to January 2011.

The age of the patients ranged from (2 to 37) years.

The biopsies were immediately kept in 10 % formalin.

Blood samples (2-5) ml were separated into 2 parts for serological analysis and lymphocyte studies.

Results of cytological test were revealed that from 80 tonsils biopsy, 30 samples showed EBV pathogenic changes (infectious mononucleosis) IM characterized by large nuclei in the lymphocytes as the main characteristics of EBV infection, While 50 samples showed no IM.

Results of serological tests were included the ELISA technique which used IgA kit revealed that the immune response to EBV showed each response to primary exposure during early childhood and continued with life due to continuous activation of latent virus that was possibly related to recurrent tonsillitis.