VIRUS-ASSOCIATED HEMOPHAGOCYTIC SYNDROME (VAHS) - A CASE-REPORT

Virus associated hemophagocytic syndrome (VAHS) is a disorder characte rized by a benign, generalized histiocytic proliferation with bone mar row and liver disorder and marked hemophagocytosis associated with sis temic infections; VAHS is a rare illness, probably understimated, ther efore we think it convenient to describe this case with rapidly fatal outcome, recently observed. A 2-year-old girl was admitted to our hosp ital with 2 weeks of persistent fever, hepatosplenomegaly, jaundice, s opor; laboratory studies revealed an acute Epstein-Barr virus infectio n and a bone marrow aspirate with proliferation of histiocytes showing hemophagocytosis; the outcome was quick and it was possible just the start of chemotherapy.