Vol. 27 - Num. 106

Clinical Reviews

Jaundice and choluria as initial presentation of infectious mononucleosis

Lucía Tainta Leóna, Cristina Valenzuela Sánchezb, Elena López Vargasc, Silvia Manzanares Santosd

aPediatra. CS La Calzada. Gijón. Asturias. España
bServicio de Pediatría. Hospital Universitario Reina Sofía. Córdoba. España
cPediatra. CS Almodóvar del Río. Córdoba. España
dPediatra. CS La Carlota. Córdoba. España

Correspondence: L Tainta . E-mail: lucitainta@gmail.com

Reference of this article: Tainta León L, Valenzuela Sánchez C, López Vargas E, Manzanares Santos S. Jaundice and choluria as initial presentation of infectious mononucleosis . Rev Pediatr Aten Primaria. 2025;27:165-7. https://doi.org/10.60147/54eb5510

Published in Internet: 02-06-2025 - Visits: 1091

Abstract

One of the main clinical presentations of Epstein-Barr virus infection is infectious mononucleosis, which in most cases manifests in the form of mild hepatitis with slight elevation of aminotransferases. However, cholestatic hepatitis, characterized by jaundice, direct hyperbilirubinemia and elevation of GGT and alkaline phosphatase, develops in less than 5% of patients with infectious mononucleosis. In the present case, the main features were jaundice and choluria, associated with hypertransaminasemia, direct hyperbilirubinemia and elevated GGT. Acute Epstein-Barr virus infection was confirmed by serology and DNA detection. This infection should be included in the differential diagnosis of cholestatic hepatitis to avoid unnecessary tests and treatments.

Keywords

Cholestatic hepatitis Epstein-Barr virus Infectious mononucleosis Jaundice