Epstein-Barr Virus Hepatitis: A Review of Clinicopathologic Features and Differential Diagnosis

The liver is frequently affected by Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection, but involvement is commonly subclinical and self-limited. Severe and potentially fatal EBV hepatitis has also been occasionally reported in immunocompromised patients and, even more rarely, in immunocompetent individuals.

To provide a review of the clinicopathologic findings of EBV hepatitis, with a focus on microscopic features and ancillary testing with a brief discussion of the differential diagnosis.

Analysis of the pertinent literature (PubMed) and clinical practice experience based on institutional materials.

Characteristic microscopic findings in EBV hepatitis include a diffuse lymphocytic sinusoidal infiltrate in a "string of beads" pattern, expansion of portal tracts by a predominantly lymphocytic infiltrate, and intact lobular architecture. In situ hybridization of EBV-encoded RNA is a helpful ancillary test. Correlation of clinical history, laboratory findings, and histopathologic features is essential to distinguish EBV hepatitis from autoimmune liver diseases, transplant rejection, lymphomas, and drug-induced liver injury.