Epstein-Barr virus-induced infection-associated hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis with acute liver injury: A case report.

Background: Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) is a severe hyperinflammatory reaction, which is rare and life-threatening. According to the pathogen, HLH is divided into genetic and acquired. The most common form of acquired HLH is infection-associated HLH, of which Herpes viruses, particularly Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), are the leading infectious triggers. However, it is difficult to distinguish between simple infection with EBV and EBV-induced infection-associated HLH since both can destroy the whole-body system, particularly the liver, thereby increasing the difficulty of diagnosis and treatment.
Case Summary: This paper elaborates a case about EBV-induced infection-associated HLH and acute liver injury, aiming to propose clinical guides for the early detection and treatment of patients with EBV-induced infection-associated HLH. The patient was categorized as acquired hemophagocytic syndrome in adults. After the ganciclovir antiviral treatment combined with meropenem antibacterial therapy and methylprednisolone inhibition to inflammatory response, gamma globulin enhanced immunotherapy, the patient recovered.
Conclusion: From the diagnosis and treatment of this patient, attention should be paid to routine EBV detection and a further comprehensive understanding of the disease as well as early recognition and early initiation are keys to patients' survival.
Competing Interests: Conflict-of-interest statement: The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.
(©The Author(s) 2023. Published by Baishideng Publishing Group Inc. All rights reserved.)