[Hemophagocytic syndrome associated with Epstein-Barr virus. Presentation of a case and treatment in the Resuscitation Unit].

We report the case of a 17 year old male patient, who was admitted to the Resuscitation Unit with the diagnosis of hemophagocytic syndrome, associated with infection by Epstein-Barr virus with unfavorable outcome. Hemophagocytic syndrome is a pathological immune activation syndrome due to the production/uncontrolled modulation of some cytokines. Its clinical signs and symptoms, defined by consensus criteria HLH-2004, are not pathognomonic, and often appear sequentially, thus suspicion should be followed by aggressive supportive therapy combined with early specific treatment of the triggering factor, as it is the only way to improve survival in patients with multiple organic failure as a result.