Infectious Mononucleosis Complicated by Chronic Thrombocytopenia

INFECTIOUS mononucleosis associated with thrombocytopenia was first described by Minot 1 in 1929. Since then, numerous case reports 2,3 of this phenomenon have appeared in the medical literature. The majority of patients recovered from the complicating thrombocytopenia within 6 weeks, and none had depressed platelet counts after 6 months. It is the purpose of this article to present the first reported case of chronic thrombocytopenia secondary to infectious mononucleosis. Report of a Case An 18-year-old male was admitted to the U.S. Naval Hospital, Philadelphia, on June 17, 1958, because of petechiae and lymphadenopathy. Twelve days previously, while taking a shower, he noted petechiae on the dorsum of both feet and on his ankles. The next day he noted generalized atraumatic ecchymosis. These symptoms were succeeded by bilateral submandibular lymphadenopathy. The patient denied exposure to drugs or toxic chemicals. No previous history of hemorrhagic phenomena was elicited. He did not have