A rare presentation of infectious mononucleosis: cholestatic hepatitis with hyperbilirubinemia

Aldin Jerome; Vatsal Khanna; Elisa Akagi; Ashish Bhargava

doi:10.18683/germs.2023.1370

A rare presentation of infectious mononucleosis: cholestatic hepatitis with hyperbilirubinemia

Germs. 2023 Mar 31;13(1):80-85. doi: 10.18683/germs.2023.1370. eCollection 2023 Mar.

Authors

Aldin Jerome¹, Vatsal Khanna², Elisa Akagi³, Ashish Bhargava⁴

Affiliations

¹ MD. Department of Medicine, Wayne State University SOM/Ascension Providence Rochester Hospital, 1101 W. University Dr, Rochester, MI 48307, USA.
² MD, Department of Medicine, Wayne State University SOM/Ascension Providence Rochester Hospital, 1101 W. University Dr, Rochester, MI 48307, USA.
³ MD, Department of Medicine, Ascension St. John Hospital, 22101 Moross Rd, Grosse Pointe Woods, MI 48236, USA.
⁴ MD, FACP, FIDSA, Department of Medicine, Thomas Mackey Center for Infectious Disease Research, Ascension St. John Hospital. 22101 Moross Rd, Grosse Pointe Woods, MI 48236, USA.

Abstract

Introduction: Epstein-Barr virus infection with mononucleosis is the most common presentation in young adults. Most infections are self-limited, although in a few cases complications can include serious conditions such as lymphoproliferative disorders or in less severe cases, mild hepatitis.

Case report: We present an unusual case of a young male with no liver disease, who presented with markedly elevated cholestatic pattern hyperbilirubinemia, as well as hepatitis. The patient responded well to symptomatic treatments, with spontaneous improvement of the hyperbilirubinemia and transaminitis.

Conclusions: Epstein-Barr virus mononucleosis can frequently present with mild elevation of transaminases, but very rarely can have marked elevation of bilirubin, which may make clinicians doubt that the infection is the sole culprit of the process.

Keywords: EBV; Infectious mononucleosis; cholestasis; hepatitis.

GERMS.

Publication types

Case Reports