Hemophagocytic Lymphohistiocytosis: A Life Threatening Cytopenic Condition

Authors

  • Suranjit Kumar Saha Junior Consultant (CC) Medicine, Pirojpur District Hospital, Pirojpur, Bangladesh
  • MM Shahin Ul Islam Associate Professor (CC), Department of Gastroenterology, Faridpur Medical College, Faridpur, Bangladesh
  • Nasir Uddin Ahmed Assistant Professor, Department of Pathology, Faridpur Medical College, Faridpur, Bangladesh
  • Prativa Saha MD (Internal Medicine, Phase B Student), Dhaka Medical College, Dhaka, Bangladesh

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.3329/fmcj.v15i2.53897

Keywords:

Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH), Hepatosplenomegaly, Cytopenias

Abstract

Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) is a life-threatening disorder that occurs in many underlying conditions in all age. This is characterized by unbridled activation of cytotoxic T lymphocytes, natural killer (NK) cells and macrophages resulting in raised cytokine level. Those cytokines and immune mediated injury occur in multiple organ systems. It may be primary and secondary. Primary HLH is familial, childhood presentation and associated with gene mutations. Secondary HLH is acquired, adulthood presentation that occurs in infections, malignancies inflammatory and autoimmune diseases etc. Clinical manifestations include fever, splenomegaly, lymphadenopathy, neurologic dysfunction, coagulopathy, features of sepsis etc. Laboratory investigation includes cytopenias, hypertriglyceridemia, hyperferritinemia, abnormal liver function, hemophagocytosis, and diminished NKcell activity. Treatment modalities include immunosuppressive, immunomodulatory agents, cytostatic drugs, T-cell antibodies, anticytokine agents and hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). Besides those, aggressive supportive care combined with specific treatment of the precipitating factor can produce better outcome. With treatment more than 50% of children who undergo transplant survive, but adults have quite poor outcomes even with aggressive management.

Faridpur Med. Coll. J. 2020;15(2): 98-102

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.
Abstract
168
PDF
263

Downloads

Published

2021-06-08

How to Cite

Saha, S. K., Islam, M. S. U., Ahmed, N. U., & Saha, P. (2021). Hemophagocytic Lymphohistiocytosis: A Life Threatening Cytopenic Condition. Faridpur Medical College Journal, 15(2), 98–102. https://doi.org/10.3329/fmcj.v15i2.53897

Issue

Section

Review Articles