Epstein-Barr virus-associated haemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis in Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome

A patient with Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome who developed Epstein-Barr virus-associated haemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (EBV-HLH) is described in this study. At 4 mo of age the patient developed fever associated with bicytopenia and splenomegaly. Analysis of a bone marrow specimen revealed extensive haemophagocytosis, and in situ hybridization for EBV of the bone marrow specimen using an EBV-encoded RNA probe was positive. Diagnosis of EBV-HLH was established and immunotherapy with HLH-94 protocol was started. HLH has been described in patients with other well-defined primary immunodeficiencies such as X-linked lymphoproliferative syndrome, Chediak-Higashi syndrome and Griscelli disease. Also, HLH was reported recently in severe combined immunodeficiency and DiGeorge syndrome. Conclusion: The possibility of an underlying primary immunodeficiency should be considered in paediatric patients who present with HLH during infancy.