Frontiers in Medicine (Dec 2022)

Case report: Hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome presenting as hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis

  • Maarten A. J. De Smet,
  • Simon Bogaert,
  • Alexander Schauwvlieghe,
  • Amélie Dendooven,
  • Pieter Depuydt,
  • Patrick Druwé

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3389/fmed.2022.1096900
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 9

Abstract

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Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis may occur in patients with genetic predisposition and in sporadic cases due to malignancy or infection. We describe a 49-year old man with hemorrhagic fever, type 1 respiratory insufficiency and acute kidney injury. Diagnostic work up showed a hyperinflammatory syndrome, hypertriglyceridemia, hemophagocytosis, very high ferritin and significantly elevated sCD25. The findings were compatible with hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis based on the HLH-2004 criteria. Serological testing indentified Puumala virus as the causal pathogen. The patient was successfully treated with pulse corticosteroids, intravenous immunoglobins and supportive therapy.

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