Ganciclovir and the treatment of Epstein-Barr virus hepatitis.

Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is part of the herpesvirus family that infects up to 90% of the population. Initial infection is often subclincal in children but will generally result in symptomatic infectious mononucleosis in adolescents and adults. Ganciclovir has been utilized in immunocompromised patients with EBV encephalitis and post-liver transplant for EBV fulminant hepatitis. Herein, the successful use of ganciclovir in two immunocompetent patients with severe EBV hepatitis is reported.