Acute hepatitis due to Epstein-Barr virus with cross-reacting antibodies to cytomegalovirus

Epstein-Barr Virus and Cytomegalovirus Infections of the Liver

Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) and cytomegalovirus (CMV) infections are common and are associated with a variety of liver manifestations. EBV and CMV infections, in immunocompetent hosts, commonly manifest as acute hepatitis, with severity varying from asymptomatic, self-limited icteric hepatitis to acute liver failure. Atypical manifestations, such as cholestasis, chronic hepatitis, precipitation of acute-on-chronic liver failure, and autoimmune hepatitis, are reported with EBV infection, whereas cholestasis, portal vein thrombosis, and Budd-Chiari syndrome are reported with CMV infection. In the setting of liver transplantation, CMV is the most common infectious complication and carries significant morbidity; EBV is the major cause of post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorders.