Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV) acute acalculous cholecystitis in an immunocompromised adult patient: a case report and a literature review of a neglected clinical presentation

Abstract

Primary Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection may present with self-limiting abdominal involvement, characterized by hepatitis with mild elevation of aminotransferases, splenomegaly, and rarely with acute acalculous cholecystitis (AAC). Usually, treatment of EBV related AAC is symptomatic, without the need for surgery. Here, we describe a severe case of AAC occurring as the first manifestation of infectious mononucleosis in a young adult woman, receiving treatment with interleukin 6 receptor (IL-6r) inhibitor for rheumatoid arthritis (RA); moreover, we have performed a review of the literature on EBV-related AAC.

Keywords: Acute acalculous cholecystitis; Cholecystitis; EBV; Hepatitis; Iimmunosuppressed patient.