Rapid Response to Low-Dose Rituximab Following Development of Severe Hemophagocytic Lymphohistiocytosis Due to Epstein-Barr Virus Infection

Abstract

Viral infection-associated hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis is often observed in children. When Epstein-Barr virus is the pathogen, patients can develop serious coagulopathy and pancytopenia. Usually such patients respond to standard steroid therapy, but alternative therapy for steroid-refractory cases is limited. Here we present the clinical observation of a Japanese girl who was successfully treated with rituximab after she failed to respond to standard steroid therapy.




Int J Clin Pediatr. 2019;8(1):8-11
doi: https://doi.org/10.14740/ijcp325