Mediterranean Journal of Hematology and Infectious Diseases (Jan 2012)

Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV)-associated Haemophagocytic Syndrome

  • Lorenza Torti,
  • Luigi Maria Larocca,
  • Giuseppina Massini,
  • Luciana Teofili

DOI
https://doi.org/10.4084/mjhid.2012.008
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 4, no. 1
pp. e2012008 – e2012008

Abstract

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We describe the case of a 17- year old female who developed fatal haemophagocytic syndrome (HPS) one month following acute infection caused by Epstein-Barr virus (EBV). Despite initiation of treatment and reduction of EBV load, laboratory signs of HPS as severe cytopenia, hypofibrinogenemia, hyperferritinemia and hypertriglyceridemia persisted, and the patient died of multiorgan failure. HPS is a rare, but life-threatening complication of EBV infection.

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