A case of virus-associated haemophagocytic syndrome with hypoplastic anaemia

A 4-year-old girl with virus-associated haemophagocytic syndrome is described, suffering from fever, jaundice, rectal bleeding and a loss of consciousness. Severe pancytopenia was a prominent finding. The bone marrow biopsy showed hypocellularity, and bone marrow aspiration revealed proliferation of histiocytes containing many erythrocytes and thrombocytes. The patient recovered within several weeks of supportive therapy. Viral studies demonstrated a recent infection with Epstein-Barr virus.