BACKGROUND

Infectious mononucleosis usually manifests in adolescents and young adults. Medical history in elderly patients is often atypical and severe.

METHODS

We report on the medical history of a 60-year-old woman, who came into our hospital with fever, icterus, decreasing performance status and abdominal pain. Splenomegaly and multiple abdominal lymph nodes could be found by ultrasound and CT scan. Endoscopically severe mucosal alterations could be found in the upper and lower gastrointestinal tract. Serologically, an acute EBV infection was diagnosed. With symptomatic treatment, the clinical course was without any problems.

CONCLUSIONS

Casuistically, we described the atypical medical history of an elderly patient with infectious mononucleosis. In each undefined lymphadenopathy of elderly patients, an EBV infection should be included into the differential diagnosis.