An elderly patient with chronic active Epstein–Barr virus infection with mixed cryoglobulinemia and review of the literature

Abstract

A 76-year-old woman was diagnosed with chronic active Epstein–Barr virus (EBV) infection (CAEBV) with sustained fever, anemia, numbness of the lower limbs, and liver dysfunction. The patient had an unusual anti-EBV antibody profile and high viral load, positive rheumatoid factor, and cryoglobulinemia. She suffered from recurrent hemosputum with pleural effusion and thrombocytopenia caused by CAEBV infection, and she died in July 2008. Here, we present a rare case of CAEBV infection with cryoglobulinemia in an elderly patient.

Keywords::

• Chronic active Epstein–Barr virus
• Cryoglobulinemia
• Elderly patient
• NK activity