Mycobacterium avium Complex-Associated Hemophagocytic Lymphohistiocytosis in a Sickle Cell Patient: An Unusual Fatal Association

Abstract

Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) is a rare hyperinflammatory syndrome, characterized clinically by fever, splenomegaly, cytopenia, and high ferritin. Infectious causes have been associated with secondary HLH, with viruses being the most common. We report a case of Mycobacterium avium complex-associated HLH in a sickle cell anemia patient. To the best of our knowledge, this association has never been reported in sickle cell anemia.