An autopsy case of hemophagocytic syndrome associated with an influenza B viral infection that followed an aggressive course
Masahiro Yanagi* Tomoyuki Takahashi Takahumi Yorozuya Atsushi Saito Masami Yamazoe
Department of Pulmonary Medicine, Hakodate Municipal Hospital
*Present address: Department of Pulmonary Medicine, Muroran City General Hospital
A 46-year-old man was seen by his family physician for a sore throat, cough and fever. He tested positive for influenza B virus on a rapid influenza diagnostic kit and was prescribed an anti-influenza drug. The following day, he had dyspnea and was seen at another hospital. Chest X-rays and a chest computed tomography (CT) scan indicated pneumonia and he was transported to our hospital. He was diagnosed with influenza pneumonia and was admitted for treatment, but multiorgan failure progressed and he died 30 hours later. Autopsy showed hemophagocytic syndrome (HPS) secondary to influenza infection. HPS due to influenza B viral infection is rare, but caution should be exercised in such patients since a fatal outcome is possible even in healthy individuals.
Virus-associated hemophagocytic syndrome (VAHS) Influenza virus
Received 19 Dec 2018 / Accepted 28 Mar 2019
AJRS, 8(4): 240-244, 2019