FULMINANT-HEPATITIS DUE TO EPSTEIN-BARR-VIRUS INFECTION

Epstein-Barr virus infection is a benign disease, which may occasional ly be fatal, particularly in children. Epstein-Barr virus infection is rare in elderly: subjects and appears to have a self-limited course. An unusual case of fulminant hepatitis due to primary Epstein-Barr vir us infection in a 62-year-old male 18 days after a cardiosurgical oper ation and blood transfusions is described in the present paper. Post-m ortem examination of the liver showed massive hepatic necrosis. The et iology was established by increase in IgM antibodies to Epstein-Barr v irus (titer 1:3.120) in serum and by cellular expression of Epstein-Ba rr virus DNA in liver tissue.