Virus-associated haemophagocytic syndrome with Epstein-Barr virus infection.

The clinical and histological findings of a 10-year-old girl with virus-associated haemophagocytic syndrome are presented. The serum levels of Epstein-Barr viral antigens were elevated. Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) genome was detected by polymerase chain reaction in bone marrow and lymph node specimens. Histologically, haemophagocytic histiocytes were present in bone marrow, and areas of non-suppurative necrosis were present in lymph nodes, where silver grain deposition of the EBV genome was demonstrated by in situ hybridization.