Journal List > Korean J Hematol > v.42(1) > 1032764

Lee, Chung, Shin, Choi, Park, Kim, Kim, Lee, and Cho: A Case of Hemophagocytic Lymphohistiocytosis Accompanied by Acute Hepatitis A: Review of the Literature

Abstract

A previously healthy 26-year-old female was referred to our hospital because of fever and abnormalities of her blood biochemistry. Her laboratory results displayed leukopenia (1.79×103/μL), thrombocytopenia (85×103/μL), the serum aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase levels were elevated to more than 2,000 IU/L, and the serum levels of lactate dehydrogenase and ferritin were markedly increased. Mild hepatosplenomegaly was reported on the abdomen-pelvis computed tomography. The bone marrow smears revealed proliferation of mature histiocytes that were ingesting platelets and erythrocytes, which is consistent with hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis. Although the other viral markers were all negative, the anti-hepatitis A IgM was positive and the anti-hepatitis A IgG was negative. Therefore, the patient was diagnosed as hepatitis A-associated hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis. Since a fulminant clinical course was suspected, 2 cycles of cyclosporine (3mg/kg iv from day 1 to day 5), dexamethasone (30mg iv qd from day1 to day 4) and immunoglobulin (500mg/kg iv day 1) therapy was started from the seventh day after onset and a favorable clinical outcome resulted.

REFERENCES

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Fig. 1
Abdomen-pelvis computed tomography shows splenomegaly, mild hepatomegaly and periportal low density in liver. Collapsed gallbladder with wall thickening and fluid collection in pelvic cavity are also detected.
kjh-42-62f1.tif
Fig. 2
Bone marrow aspiration showing hemophagocytosis of megakaryocyte (A), and red blood cells (B) (Wright-Giemsa stain, ×400).
kjh-42-62f2.tif
Table 1.
Laboratory data
  Normal ranges and units      
Hematology     Serology  
WBC 4.0~11.0 103/μL 1.79 HBsAg
RBC 3.75~5.20 106/μL 4.31 HBsAb +
Hb 12.5~15.0g/dL 12.2 HBeAg
PLT 140~400 103/μL 85 HBeAb
Coagulation     HBcAb IgM
PT 11.0~14.1 sec 14.9 HCV Ab
aPTT 30~44 sec 38.4 HAV Ab IgM +
Fibrinogen 200~400mg/dL 160 HAV Ab IgG
D-dimer 0.06~0.5μg/mL 1.04 EBV DNA
Serum chemistry     EBV DNA in BM
Total bilirubin 0.3~1.3mg/dL 2.02 EBV anti-EA-DR IgA
Direct bilirubin 0.05~0.4mg/dL 1.37 EBV anti-EA-DR IgG +
AST 10~40IU/L 3,119 EBV anti-EA-DR IgM
ALT 6~40IU/L 2,456 EBV anti-EBNA IgG +
LDH 218~472IU/L 3,260 EBV anti-EBNA IgM
ALP 95~280IU/L 375 EBV anti-VCA IgA
GTP 11~73IU/L 167 EBV anti-VCA IgG +
Total cholesterol 180~210mg/dL 142 EBV anti-VCA IgM
TG 37~144mg/dL 74 HSV IgG +
HDL 35~72mg/dL 30 HSV IgM
Ferritin 6~282ng/mL 1,209 CMV PCR
CRP 0~0.5mg/dL 0.27 Anti-HIV Ab

Abbreviations: WBC, white blood cell; Hb, hemoglobin; PLT, platelet; PT, prothrombin time; aPTT, activated partial thromboplatin time; AST, aspartate aminotransferase; ALT, alanine aminotranferase; LDH, lactate dehydrogenase; ALP, alkaline phosphatase; GTP, glutamyl transpeptidase; TG, triglyceride; HDL, high-density lipoprotein; CRP, C-reactive protein; HCV, hepatitis C virus; HAV, hepatitis A virus; EBV, Ebstein-barr virus; HSV, herpes simplex virus; CMV, cytomegalovirus; HIV, human immunodeficiency virus.

Table 2.
Case reports of hepatitis A virus associated hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis
Case Year Age/Sex Treatment sIL-2R (U/mL) Outcome Underlying diseas
Watanabe et al (9) 1988 24/F None Unknown Recovered  
McPeake et al (10) 1993 20/F Steroid pulse Unknown Recovered Still's disease
Kondo and Date et al (11) 1995 49/F Steroid pulse, rhG-CSF 2,080 Recovered  
Wu et al (12) 1995 23/M Steroid pulse Unknown Died HCV carrier
Kyoda et al (13) 1998 40/M None Unknown Recovered  
Watanabe et al (9) 2000 36/M HDF, steroid pulse, combination chemotherapy∗ Unknown Died  
Onaga et al (8) 2000 19/F Steoid pulse 1,920 Recovered  
Watanabe et al (9) 2002 45/M None 4,870 Recovered  
  2002 41/M None 2,590 Recovered HCV carrier
Present patient 2005 26/F Combination chemotherapy Unknown Recovered  

Abbreviations: rhG-CSF, recombinant human granulocyte colony stimulating factor; HDF, hemo-diafiltration; HCV, hepatitis C virus; sIL-2R, soluble interleukine-2-receptor.

∗Combination chemotherapy, cyclophosphamide, vincristine and predni-olone;

Combination chemotherapy, cyclophosphamide, prednisolone and immunoglobulin.

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