Question

Why does the spleen swell with EBV infection?

Answer 1

Ebv infects ghe B cells of oropharyngeal epithelium. Rarely it spreads through blood . Circulating B cells spread the the infection throughout the reticulo endothelial system i.e. liver , spleen and peripheral lymph nodes. This splenomegaly occurs which increase the cellularity and vascularity of the organ.
Grossly, an enlarged spleen is heavy and firm. The capsule is tense and thickened. The sectioned surface of the organ is firm with prominent trabeculae. Microscopically, there is dilatation of sinusoids with prominence of splenic cords. The white pulp is atrophic while the trabeculae are thickened. Long-standing conges- tion may produce haemorrhages and Gamna-Gandy bodies resulting in fibrocongestive splenomegaly, also called Banti’s spleen.