Serologic evidence that a herpes-type virus is the etiologic agent of heterophile-positive infectious mononucleosis.

The antibody activity against herpes-type virus (HTV) of heterophile-positive infectious mononucleosis sera and "normal" sera from humans was determined with immunoferritin. The antiviral activity of the mononucleosis sera was associated with the IgM antibodies, while the antiviral activity of the "normal" human sera was associated with the IgG antibodies. It was concluded from these findings that the appearance of antibodies to herpes-type virus in heterophile-positive sera represents a primary immunogenic exposure to this virus, or to a serologically related virus. This conclusion, in turn, suggests that herpes-type virus or a serologically related virus is the etiologic agent of heterophile-positive mononucleosis.