HEPATIC-FUNCTION IN MONONUCLEOSIS INDUCED BY EPSTEIN-BARR VIRUS AND CYTOMEGALO-VIRUS

  • 1 January 1980
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 26  (2) , 243-246
Abstract
Serial enzyme and bilirubin determinations were evaluated as aids to diagnosis of Epstein-Barr virus-induced infectious mononucleosis (121 cases) and the heterophil-negative mononucleosis-like illness due to cytomegalovirus (33 cases). Laboratory evidence for either type of mononucleosis includes mild to moderate hepatic dysfunction, with aspartate aminotransferase activity increased but lower than commonly encountered in active viral hepatitis. Of the enzymes commonly assayed in evaluating liver function, aspartate aminotransferase activity was the most commonly abnormal: in 96.7% of those with Epstein-Barr virus disease and 87.9% with cytomegalovirus disease. Values for alkaline phosphatase were increased in 94.2% of the Epstein-Barr virus cases and 63.6% of the cytomegalovirus cases and .gamma.-glutamyltransferase values were increased in 90.9% and 75.8%, respectively. In serially studied patients, normal results for liver-function studies or very high aspartate aminotransferase activities (> 1000 U/l) eliminate both Epstein-Barr virus and cytomegalovirus as diagnostic considerations.