Epstein-Barr virus infection associated with bone marrow fibrin-ring granuloma

Am J Clin Pathol. 2010 Feb;133(2):300-4. doi: 10.1309/AJCPB7SX7QXASPSK.

Abstract

We previously reported 24 cases of marrow fibrin-ring granuloma (FRG) encountered in 1 institution and concluded that, contrary to previous studies showing marrow FRG as a diagnostic marker for Q fever, Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) was the most common proven cause of such FRG. The present study characterized patients with EBV-associated marrow FRG. We retrospectively reviewed 17 cases of EBV-associated FRG (43% of 40 cases with marrow FRG) diagnosed by bone marrow biopsy. Patients with EBV-associated hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (5/17 patients) and chronic active EBV infection (4/17) constituted 53% of patients with EBV-associated FRG. Three patients had lymphoma without marrow involvement. All patients except 1 presented first with fever; splenomegaly was the next most common clinical finding (12/17). Cytopenia was observed in the 17 cases: anemia in 16, thrombocytopenia in 9, and leukopenia in 8. Patients with EBV-associated FRG showed lower survival outcomes than did patients without EBV (median, 3.0 vs 11.8 months; P = .009). Patients with bone marrow FRG accompanied by fever require careful evaluation to discern whether active EBV infection is involved because the prognosis is poor.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Bone Marrow Diseases / virology*
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Epstein-Barr Virus Infections / complications*
  • Female
  • Fibrin*
  • Granuloma / virology*
  • Humans
  • Lymphohistiocytosis, Hemophagocytic / complications
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Prognosis

Substances

  • Fibrin