Most common cause of acute hepatitis are viral agents. Hepatotropic virus constitute more than 95% of this group. A rare cause of acute hepatitis is Epstein Barr virus (EBV). The main disease caused by EBV is Infectious mononucleosis characterized by sore throat, fever, and adenopathy triad. Gastrointestinal manifestations are frequently present (80%), but often unrecognized. These manifestations include mild elevation (3-5 fold) in liver function tests in 5-10% cases, abdominal pain, and hepatosplenomegaly. However, little number of cases with serious hepatitis, fulminant liver failure, and splenic rupture related with EBV were also reported. We report here 25 years old patient with fever, sore throat, and 12-15 fold elevation in liver function tests and EBV was determined as the cause of viral hepatitis.
Keywords: Epstein Barr virus, hepatitis