Journal of Cancer Research and Practice (Sep 2017)
Successful treatment of herpes simplex virus associated hemophagocytic syndrome coexisting with ARDS with intravenous immunoglobulin in acute myeloid leukemia patient
Abstract
Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) is a rare clinical syndrome characterized by excessive macrophage function. The diagnosis of HLH in adults is challenging because initial signs and symptoms of HLH mimic common infections. Herein is described a case of HSV infection causing virus-associated hemophagocytic syndrome (VAHS) with severe hemodynamic distress. This patient manifested acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), which responded well to intravenous immunoglobulin. Patients with herpes simplex virus-associated hemophagocytic syndrome coexisting with ARDS may be given a trial of immune globulin. However, there are few reported cases of AML occurring with VAHS in the literature, which were successfully treated with IVIG; therefore, this finding requires further investigation in a similar setting.
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