title: Unusual presentation of Epstein-Barr virus hepatitis treated successfully with valganciclovir.
abstract: Described is the case of a 21-year-old male patient who presented with a severe Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) hepatitis. The initial diagnosis was challenging, as the patient did not have the typical features of the mononucleosis syndrome and despite the severity of the hepatitis, the initial serology was negative. In addition the liver biopsy did not show the mononuclear cell infiltration typically seen in EBV hepatitis. Later, measurements of EBV DNA showed high titers and the patient received a course of oral valganciclovir, following which he made a rapid clinical and serological response. This case describes an unusual presentation of EBV hepatitis, and adds to the body of evidence supporting its treatment with valganciclovir.
authors.affiliation: Liver Centre, The London Clinic, London, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Katrine
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Cauldwell
authors.forename: Roger
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Williams
mesh_terms: D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000097:blood; D020031:Epstein-Barr Virus Infections / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy*; D015774:Ganciclovir / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006525:Hepatitis, Viral, Human / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D000077562:Valganciclovir; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000998:Antiviral Agents; D004279:DNA, Viral; D000077562:Valganciclovir; D015774:Ganciclovir
keywords: EBV hepatitis; antiviral; infectious mononucleosis; therapy