Acute complications of Epstein-Barr virus infectious mononucleosis

Infectious mononucleosis caused by Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) usually resolve s over a period of weeks or months without sequelae but may occasionally be complicated by a wide variety of neurologic, hematologic, hepatic, respira tory, and psychological complications. The strength of association of EBV w ith many of these complications remains based on scattered case reports, of ten using unsophisticated diagnostic tests, and the evidence for causation in many instances is unconvincing. There is little benefit of antiviral tre atment of uncomplicated or complicated infectious mononucleosis. Corticoste roids may have a role in hastening resolution of some complications, especi ally upper airway obstruction and possibly immune-mediated anemia and throm bocytopenia, but should be used judiciously. Curr Opin Pediatr 2000, 12:263 -268 (C) 2000 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, Inc.