
Infectious Mononucleosis Causing Acute Liver Failure and Hemolytic Anemia in a Patient with Underlying Hereditary Hemochromatosis
Author(s) -
Forsberg Mark,
Galan Mark,
Kra Joshua
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
case reports in oncology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.365
H-Index - 19
ISSN - 1662-6575
DOI - 10.1159/000509742
Subject(s) - case report
Infectious mononucleosis is a largely benign disease process that occurs secondary to infection with the Epstein-Barr virus. However, it can also present with more serious complications, including auto-immune hemolytic anemia and acute liver failure. Hereditary hemochromatosis is a genetic disorder that leads to organ damage via increased iron uptake and deposition. This case report describes a 25-year-old man who presented with acute liver failure and severe hemolytic anemia. Workup revealed that not only did he have a rare presentation of Epstein-Barr virus-induced acute liver failure and C3-positive IgG-negative hemolytic anemia, he also had previously undiagnosed hereditary hemochromatosis. This combined presentation of these pathologies presents a unique opportunity to study their interaction and possible synergistic pathophysiology. Furthermore, the evolving understanding of the disease mechanisms behind these disease processes is described.