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Updated: May 21, 2025

An Efficient and Simple Method to Establish NK and T Cell Lines from Patients with Chronic Active Epstein-Barr Virus Infection
Published on: March 30, 2018
Chronic Hepatitis and Hemophagocytic Lymphohistiocytosis Associated With Systemic Chronic Active Epstein-Barr Virus
Emmanuel Palomera-Tejeda1,2, Lauren Shaffer1,2, Michael Shi1,2
1Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX.
Abstract:
Systemic chronic active Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) disease is a rare, delayed, and life-threatening complication of EBV infection. It is characterized by persistent viremia and a mononucleosis-like syndrome with multisystemic involvement because of lymphocytic tissue infiltration. We present the case of an 82-year-old woman without known immunodeficiency who presented with abnormal liver enzymes and interstitial pneumonia. Investigations revealed hyperferritinemia, elevated soluble interleukin-2 receptor levels, hypofibrinogenemia, and hepatosplenomegaly, consistent with hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis, as well as a high EBV viral load. Liver biopsy demonstrated portal chronic lymphocytic inflammation and positive EBV in situ hybridization, suggesting systemic chronic active Epstein-Barr virus disease as the underlying etiology.
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