Renal failure in infectious mononucleosis

An 18-year-old man developed generalized lymphadenopathy and interstitial renal disease which progressed to irreversible renal failure. Serologic studies evidenced the recent onset of infectious mononucleosis, and prior exposure to Epstein-Barr virus was demonstrated. Lymph node, liver, and renal biopsies showed mononuclear cell infiltration consistent with infectious mononucleosis. Although renal involvement in infectious mononucleosis rarely is severe, an association between infectious mononucleosis and renal failure is suggested in this patient.