Epstein-Barr Virus Reactivation Causing Cholestatic Hepatitis

Infection with Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is common and associated with a high seroprevalence. It is often asymptomatic, but infectious mononucleosis (IM) is the clinical hallmark of this disease especially among teens. Hepatic involvement during primary EBV infection often results in mild self-resolving elevation of liver enzymes, typically in association with IM. However, cholestatic hepatitis might sporadically occur. EBV reactivation is rare, especially among immunocompetent patients. Moreover, reactivation of EBV causing isolated cholestatic hepatitis is extremely rare and only reported in patients who are immunocompromised. Here we present a unique case of EBV reactivation causing cholestatic hepatitis in an otherwise healthy and immunocompetent female and we review the epidemiology, clinical presentation, diagnosis, and treatment of EBV induced cholestatic hepatitis.