A multicenter cohort study involving 320 pediatric patients revealed a significant correlation between Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) seropositivity and increased mortality as well as immune dysregulation in cases of sepsis. Among EBV-seropositive patients, the mortality rate was 15%, compared to just 3% in seronegative patients. The study highlighted the direct association of EBV with mortality and its role in hyperferritinemia and macrophage activation syndrome. The investigation included patients aged from infancy to 18 years, followed over 28 days.

Source: JAMA Network Open