Infectious mononucleosis is associated with an increased incidence of Crohn’s disease: results from a cohort study of 31 862 outpatients in Germany

Infectious mononucleosis is significantly associated with an increased incidence of Crohn's disease but not ulcerative colitis, especially in young female patients. Our data support the hypothesis of a pathophysiological involvement of EBV in the development of Crohn's disease and should trigger molecular research to further dissect the pathophysiology of IBD.