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A 28-year-old male was admitted to our hospital with tonsillitis and jaundice. Laboratory findings showed leukocytosis (rate of atypical lymphocytes was 40%), liver dysfunction and hyperbilirubinemia. Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) viral capsid antigen (VCA) IgM and IgG antibodies were positive, and EB nuclear antigen (EBNA) antibody was negative. Abdominal ultrasonography demonstrated hepato-splenomegaly and swelling of intraperitoneal lymph nodes. A diagnosis of infectious mononucleosis was made due to EBV infection. Conservative therapy was given. Total bilirubin and alkaline phosphatase increased to maximum levels of 10.2 mg/dl and 1,590U/l. A liver biopsy specimen revealed infiltration of lymphocytes in sinusoids and portal areas, focal necrosis and intrahepatic cholestasis in parenchyma. Liver function tests returned to normal limits and EBV VCA IgM antibody became negative within 10 weeks from onset.

Thyroid hormone (triiodothyronine [T(3)]) has various nongenomic effects, including alterations in glucose and fatty acid metabolism, augmentation of intracellular Ca(2+), enhancement of myocardial contractility, and vascular dilatation. However, its effect on regional blood flow remains to be established. We have measured the effect of T(3) on blood flow in major organs of anesthetized rabbits in vivo using the microsphere method. Under artificial respiration, nonradioactive microspheres (5 x 10(5)) labeled with barium were injected to measure blood flow at control level. Then, T(3) (50 microg/kg per milliliter) was administered and microspheres labeled with iodine (5 x 10(5)) were injected. The atria, ventricles, kidneys, and right upper limb were excised and their contents of microspheres were evaluated. Blood flow in the ventricles was significantly increased by T(3) (2.9 +/- 0.3 versus 3.4 +/- 0.3 mL/min per gram, vehicle versus T(3)). Similarly, blood flow in the kidneys was significantly higher after T(3) injection (4.3 +/- 0.5 versus 5.1 +/- 0.5 mL/min per, vehicle versus T(3)). The blood flow in the atria and skeletal muscles remained unchanged. These results indicate that the vasodilatory response to T(3) is not uniform and occurs preferentially in major organs such as cardiac ventricles and kidneys; this may be relevant to the T(3)-induced improvement of cardiac function.

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