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Published on: March 30, 2018
Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis associated with Epstein-Barr virus in the central nervous system
Shino Magaki1, Nora Ostrzega2, Elliot Ho3
1Section of Neuropathology, Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) Medical Center and David Geffen School of Medicine, Los Angeles, CA 90095-1732, USA.
Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) is a rare immune hyperactivation syndrome which may be primary (genetic) or secondary to various immune-related conditions including infection, immunodeficiency, and malignancies. Rapid diagnosis and treatment are essential because it can be associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is a known infectious cause of acquired HLH, but EBV-associated HLH involving the central nervous system is rare and not well characterized neuropathologically. We report a case of fatal EBV-associated HLH with severe involvement of the central nervous system showing florid hemophagocytosis in the choroid plexus, with extensive neuron loss and gliosis in the cerebrum, cerebellum, and brainstem.
Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) is a rare immune hyperactivation syndrome which may be primary (genetic) or secondary to various immune-related conditions including infection, immunodeficiency, and malignancies. Rapid diagnosis and treatment are essential because it can be associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is a known infectious cause of acquired HLH, but EBV-associated HLH involving the central nervous system is rare and not well characterized neuropathologically. We report a case of fatal EBV-associated HLH with severe involvement of the central nervous system showing florid hemophagocytosis in the choroid plexus, with extensive neuron loss and gliosis in the cerebrum, cerebellum, and brainstem.
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