Abstract

Mononucleosis caused by Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is an acute virus infection frequently found in children and teenagers. In most cases it is a self-limited and generally benign disease. EBV infection is largely asymptomatic, but occasionally, more severe complications may arise.

We present the case of 5-year-old boy, where a case of EBV infection caused acute pancreatitis.

A previously healthy patient was presented to the hospital with symptoms of upper respiratory tract infection, fever up to 39°C and lymphadenopathy. The serological profile was typical for primary EBV infection. Laboratory studies showed pancreas failure. Our diagnosis was mononucleosis complicated by pancreatitis.

In this report, special attention was paid to the atypical pattern of infection and difficulties in its diagnosis. In spite of the usually gentle course of mononucleosis the patient required attentive observation as well as the detection of possible complications.

Doctors should to know that EBV infection could be the etiologic factor of acute pancreatitis, and also remember that the cases can be asymptomatic or ologosymptomatic, which makes for difficult recognition.