Tropical splenomegaly syndrome associated with cytomegalovirus infection

The tropical splenomegaly syndrome (TSS) is characterized by massive splenomegaly with hypersplenism, moderate hepatomegaly, and lymphocytic infiltration of the hepatic sinusoids. In previous reports this syndrome has been shown to be a consequence of a disordered immunologic response of the host to malarial infection. Treatment with antimalarial drugs has resulted in a decrease in malarial antibody titers and a reduction in splenic size. We report a child who had TSS associated with cytomegalovirus infection rather than malaria. Our results suggest that TSS may be precipitated by a variety of infections producing chronic antigenic stimulation and perhaps by autoantigenic stimulation as well.