title: Possible infectious causes of spontaneous splenic rupture: a case report.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Spontaneous atraumatic splenic rupture is a rare but dramatic occurrence that is most commonly attributed to infection or neoplasia. Deciphering the etiology can be challenging with many cases remaining unclear despite full investigation.
  
  
  METHODS
  We report the case of a previously healthy and immunocompetent 52-year-old Caucasian woman with a remote history of clinically diagnosed infectious mononucleosis who experienced sudden atraumatic splenic rupture after an untreated stray cat bite.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The differential diagnosis for atraumatic splenic rupture, specifically its infectious causes, is reviewed. Key clinical and laboratory findings that differentiate Bartonella henselae infection and Epstein-Barr virus reinfection are reviewed.
authors.forename: Grace Y
authors.initials: GY
authors.lastname: Lam
authors.forename: Adrienne K
authors.initials: AK
authors.lastname: Chan
authors.affiliation: Department of Infectious Diseases, Toronto East General Hospital, 825 Coxwell Ave, Toronto, ON, M4C 3E7, Canada. jpowi@tegh.on.ca.
authors.forename: Jeff E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Powis
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001474:Bartonella Infections / Q000150:complications*; D001733:Bites and Stings; D002415:Cats; D020031:Epstein-Barr Virus Infections / Q000150:complications*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007121:Immunocompetence; D008875:Middle Aged; D012422:Rupture, Spontaneous; D013161:Splenic Rupture / Q000209:etiology*