Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41601683›Full record

ReviewFrontiers in immunology2025

A critically ill adolescent with EBV-associated hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis-induced hyperinflammatory shock: a case report and literature review.

Yong Chen, Ruodai Zhang, Chenghu Wang, Yi Ren

Abstract readCase ReportsReview
In one paragraph

Review in Frontiers in immunology, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 2 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
2citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

2 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Article
  2. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

4 authors.

Yong ChenDepartment of Classical Chinese Medicine, Chongqing Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chongqing, China.
Ruodai ZhangDepartment of Classical Chinese Medicine, Chongqing Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chongqing, China.
Chenghu WangDepartment of Classical Chinese Medicine, Chongqing Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chongqing, China.
Yi RenDepartment of Classical Chinese Medicine, Chongqing Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chongqing, China.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection can trigger life-threatening complications, including hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) and septic shock. The overlapping clinical manifestations of these conditions pose significant diagnostic and therapeutic challenges. This article reports the case of a previously healthy 19-year-old female who presented with persistent high fever (40.1°C), tachycardia, tachypnea, and hypotension, along with markedly elevated inflammatory markers, meeting the diagnostic criteria for septic shock. Laboratory investigations revealed rapid, significant decreases in white blood cell (WBC) count and platelet count. A positive serum EBV viral capsid antigen (VCA) IgM test led to a suspicion of EBV-associated HLH (EBV-HLH). Prior to a definitive diagnosis of EBV-HLH, the patient was initiated on early and adequate combination therapy with corticosteroids and antivirals. This intervention resulted in rapid clinical and laboratory improvement: body temperature normalized by day 3, and peripheral blood counts gradually returned to normal. The subsequent bone marrow aspiration confirmed the HLH diagnosis, supported by elevated serum ferritin and soluble interleukin-2 receptor (sCD25) levels, fulfilling the diagnostic criteria for HLH. The patient was discharged on a tapering regimen of oral methylprednisolone and achieved complete recovery without relapse during follow-up. This case suggests that rapidly progressive and significant leukopenia and thrombocytopenia are key early indicators for distinguishing EBV-HLH from sepsis alone. Early recognition of EBV-HLH and timely initiation of combined corticosteroid and antiviral therapy can effectively control cytokine storm and improve clinical outcomes in patients with favorable treatment responses, providing valuable clinical insights for managing similar severe cases.

Indexed as

Epstein-Barr Virus InfectionsHerpesvirus 4, HumanLymphohistiocytosis, HemophagocyticShock, SepticAntiviral AgentsCritical IllnessFemaleHumansYoung AdultAntiviral Agentsadolescentcase reportcritical careEpstein-Barr virushemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosisimmunosuppressive therapysepsis

Identifiers

PMID41601683
PMCPMC12832823

What Socratic holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the Socratic graph.