Fulminant hepatitis due to Epstein-Barr virus infection

Epstein-Barr virus infection is a benign disease, which may occasionally be fatal, particularly in children. Epstein-Barr virus infection is rare in elderly subjects and appears to have a self-limited course. An unusual case of fulminant hepatitis due to primary Epstein-Barr virus infection in a 62-year-old male 18 days after a cardiosurgical operation and blood transfusions is described in the present paper. Post-mortem examination of the liver showed massive hepatic necrosis. The etiology was established by increase in IgM antibodies to Epstein-Barr virus (titer 1:3.120) in serum and by cellular expression of Epstein-Barr virus DNA in liver tissue.