Epstein-Barr virus-associated hemophagocytic syndrome masquerading as lymphoma: A case report

T. H. Jaing*, C. H. Chiu, W. C. Lo, C. S. Lu, K. W. Chang

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalJournal Article peer-review

9 Scopus citations

Abstract

Virus-associated hemophagocytic syndrome (VAHS) is a non-neoplastic, generalized histiocytic proliferation with prominent hemophagocytosis associated with a systemic viral infection. Although Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is one candidate virus for this association, thorough serologic and molecular biologic studies to determine the presence of the viral infection have been lacking in many reports. Whereas elevated liver function tests are common findings in patients with VAHS, exudative ascites and abdominal lymphadenopathy are rare. We describe a case of EBV-AHS masquerading as lymphoma in which treatment with intravenous immunoglobulins was associated with complete clinical remission at 2 years and 6 months after the onset. Regardless of the exact mechanism responsible for ascites formation in VAHS, this case adds support to the possible involvement of EBV in patients with abdominal lymphadenopathy and ascites.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)147-149
Number of pages3
JournalJournal of Microbiology, Immunology and Infection
Volume34
Issue number2
StatePublished - 2001
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Abdominal lymphadenopathy
  • Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)
  • Intravenous immunoglobulins
  • Virus-associated hemophagocytic syndrome (VAHS)

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