An adult case of severe chronic active Epstein-Barr virus infection syndrome.
A 23-year-old man with persisting high fever developed hepatosplenomegaly, lymphadenopathy and massive pericardial effusion. Immunological examination revealed a marked elevation of anti-Epstein-Barr virus antibodies (anti-viral capsid antigens IgG-antibody 1:10,240, anti-early antigens-DR IgG-antibody 1:5,120), decreased activities of Epstein-Barr virus specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes, natural killer cells and lymphokine activated killer cells. A liver biopsy showed moderate sinusoidal lymphocytosis with punched-out lesions. These findings suggested severe chronic active Epstein-Barr virus infection syndrome. The patient was treated with recombinant human interleukin-2, but it was discontinued because of an adverse reaction. Twelve months later, he died of suspected pulmonary infection.
Yamada
H
H
Second Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, Nagasaki University, Japan.
Kohno
S
S
Koga
H
H
Omagari
K
K
Maesaki
S
S
Kaku
M
M
Komatsu
K
K
Hara
K
K
D000328:Adult; D000914:Antibodies, Viral / Q000097:blood; D002908:Chronic Disease; D006529:Hepatomegaly / Q000209:etiology; D006566:Herpesviridae Infections / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000276:immunology; D004854:Herpesvirus 4, Human / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D008199:Lymphadenitis / Q000209:etiology; D008297:Male; D010490:Pericardial Effusion / Q000209:etiology; D013163:Splenomegaly / Q000209:etiology; D013577:Syndrome
D000914:Antibodies, Viral