RHABDOMYOLYSIS COMPLICATING ACUTE EPSTEIN-BARR-VIRUS INFECTION

Infection,vith Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is common and induces a broad spectrum of illness. In the majority-of cases the disease manifests wi th typical signs of heterophile-positive infectious mononucleosis in w hich myalgia may be seen in up to 20% of cases. In this study, a case of rhabdomyolysis is reported occurring during the clinical course of an 18-year-old patient with infectious mononucleosis. This severe form of muscle involvement has been rarely associated with EBV infections. Five similar cases previously published in the English literature are also reviewed. The clinical implications of rhabdomyolysis and infect ious mononucleosis are discussed.