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Lipschütz ulcers as the first manifestation of infectious Mononucleosis

Amandine Isabelle Marie POUPAR, Iris RIVADENEIRA QUEIRUGA and Patricia Maria PITA DE NAVASQÜES

Lipschütz genital ulcers are a rare condition affecting young women, usually caused by viral infections, most often Epstein-Barr virus (EBV). They pose a diagnostic challenge since they do not fall into the main causative categories such as sexually transmitted infections (STIs) or autoimmune processes.A healthy 25-year-old woman presented to her Family Doctor after urgent evaluation by Gynecology due to isolated genital ulcers with well-defined edges and clean bases, with palpable bilateral inguinal lymphadenopathy as the only abnormal finding on physical exam. She reported no improvement despite completing antiviral treatment prescribed for suspected primary herpes simplex virus infection. Her doctor requested cultures of ulcer exudate, endocervical, and urine samples. A few days later, she returned with asthenia, sore throat, fever, and right hypochondrium pain without palpable organomegaly. Additional screening was performed including serologies for hepatotropic viruses, EBV, and cytomegalovirus (CMV), as well as blood tests including complete blood count, biochemistry with liver profile, and autoimmunity. The review showed lymphocytosis with elevated transaminases and positive serologies (IgM and IgG) for EBV and CMV. Given these results and persistent ulcers, she was referred to Gynecology via teleconsultation, which concluded the diagnosis of Lipschütz ulcers in the context of infectious Mononucleosis. She evolved favorably with symptomatic management.In this clinical case, Lipschütz ulcers were the only initial manifestation, unlike most cases reported in scientific literature where they are associated with infectious symptoms from the onset.To avoid unnecessary treatments, it would be advisable to disseminate differential diagnostic algorithms in which, especially in young women regardless of sexual activity, non-sexually transmitted infectious causes are considered.Gynecology interconsultation can be a key tool for early diagnosis, considering that genital ulcers may be the only presenting sign in some cases.It is important to emphasize the need to consider infectious mononucleosis as a differential diagnosis of genital ulcers by exclusion. Gynecology interconsultation is proposed as a good resource for early identification of an uncommon condition such as Lipschütz ulcers.