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Japanese spotted fever with acute hepatic failure: was it associated with Epstein‐Barr virus?
Author(s) -
Kondo Makoto,
Kurokawa Ichiro,
Yamanaka Keiichi,
Akachi Shigehiro,
Nishii Masami
Publication year - 2010
Publication title -
international journal of dermatology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.677
H-Index - 93
eISSN - 1365-4632
pISSN - 0011-9059
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-4632.2010.04584.x
Subject(s) - medicine , eschar , epstein–barr virus , virus , fever of unknown origin , blood test , liver failure , polymerase chain reaction , erythema , gastroenterology , surgery , immunology , gene , biochemistry , chemistry
Background An 81‐year‐old female experiencing high fever, fatigue, and loss of appetite was admitted to our hospital and diagnosed with acute cholecystitis. Her condition did not improve and an eschar and erythema subsequently appeared. We then diagnosed Japanese spotted fever (JSF). She recovered immediately after the administration of minocycline. This case differed from other cases because the patient had a remarkably acute hepatic failure. Methods Considering that the present case might be associated with other factors, we performed a repeat polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test on the patient's blood that had been collected on admission and stored. Results Epstein‐Barr virus (EBV) was detected in her blood by PCR. Conclusion We consider this case might be associated with EBV.