C-Reactive Protein Levels in Patients with Infectious Mononucleosis

Background: Plasma level of C-reactive protein (CRP) is used as a biomarker of systemic inflammation. Differential distributions of CRP levels related to different pathogens aid clinicians in the differential diagnosis of patients.Objectives: To evaluate the distribution of CRP levels in patients with Infectious Mononucleosis (IMN) and its correlation with different pathogen and host characteristics.Methods: A retrospective study conducted on electronic medical records of patients diagnosed clinically and serologically with IMN in a public regional hospital during consecutive five years.Results: CRP levels were significantly elevated in patients hospitalized with clinical diagnosis of IMN and serologic evidence of EBV (average 6.8 md/dL) or CMV (average 6.3 md/dL). However, levels of CRP were not significantly correlated with plasma levels of liver enzymes. Conclusions: Although CRP levels may aid in the differential diagnosis of respiratory syndromes, its distribution in patients infected by hepatotrophic viruses is similar to that in bacterial infections.