A Case of Macrophage Activation Syndrome with Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome

Abstract

Macrophage Activation Syndrome (MAS) is a rare form of Haemophagocytic Lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) associated with rheumatologic conditions. It is characterised by haemophagocytosis and cytokine overproduction, resulting from the activation and uncontrolled proliferation of T lymphocytes and macrophages. The patient being reported is an elderly female with Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA), who presented with fever and was found to have MAS. She later developed Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS) and died. Such a scenario has rarely been reported.

Keywords

• haemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis
• rheumatoid arthritis