Journal List > J Rheum Dis > v.22(3) > 1064187

Lim, Kim, Choi, Jung, Han, Bae, Jung, Kim, and Suh: Three Cases of Secondary Hemophagocytic Lymphohistiocytosis Associated with Systemic Erythematosus Lupus

Abstract

Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) is a rare disorder characterized by fever, pancytopenia, hyperferritinemia, and phagocytosis of hematopoietic cells in bone marrow, liver, or lymph nodes. HLH can occur during the course of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), but can also be a presenting manifestation. Because development of pancytopenia occurs in less than 10 percent of SLE cases, investigation for HLH is necessary when otherwise unexplained pancytopenia persists despite adequate treatment. We experienced three cases of secondary HLH associated with SLE. Among the three patients, two patients developed HLH during the clinical course of SLE. The other patient who presented with pancytopenia was first diagnosed with HLH, and later with SLE. In her case, HLH turned out to be a presenting manifestation of SLE. We report on three successfully treated cases, and discuss the prevalence, characteristics, treatments, and prognosis of secondary HLH associated with SLE.

REFERENCES

1. Kleynberg RL, Schiller GJ. Secondary hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis in adults: an update on diagnosis and therapy. Clin Adv Hematol Oncol. 2012; 10:726–32.
2. Lambotte O, Khellaf M, Harmouche H, Bader-Meunier B, Manceron V, Goujard C, et al. Characteristics and long-term outcome of 15 episodes of systemic lupus erythematosus-associated hemophagocytic syndrome. Medicine (Baltimore). 2006; 85:169–82.
crossref
3. Oh DH, Song YH, Kim CS, Kim JH, Doh JH, Choi BR, et al. A case of acute lupus hemophagocytic syndrome: a case report. J Korean Rheum Assoc. 1999; 6:272–6.
4. Parodi A, Davì S, Pringe AB, Pistorio A, Ruperto N, Magni-Manzoni S, et al. Lupus Working Group of the Paediatric Rheumatology European Society. Macrophage activation syndrome in juvenile systemic lupus erythematosus: a multinational multicenter study of thirty-eight patients. Arthritis Rheum. 2009; 60:3388–99.
crossref
5. Henter JI, Horne A, Aricó M, Egeler RM, Filipovich AH, Imashuku S, et al. HLH-2004: diagnostic and therapeutic guidelines for hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis. Pediatr Blood Cancer. 2007; 48:124–31.
crossref
6. Hadchouel M, Prieur AM, Griscelli C. Acute hemorrhagic, hepatic, and neurologic manifestations in juvenile rheumatoid arthritis: possible relationship to drugs or infection. J Pediatr. 1985; 106:561–6.
crossref
7. Yeap ST, Sheen JM, Kuo HC, Hwang KP, Yang KD, Yu HR. Macrophage activation syndrome as initial presentation of systemic lupus erythematosus. Pediatr Neonatol. 2008; 49:39–42.
crossref
8. Kumakura S, Ishikura H, Kondo M, Murakawa Y, Masuda J, Kobayashi S. Autoimmune-associated hemophagocytic syndrome. Mod Rheumatol. 2004; 14:205–15.
crossref
9. Kim JM, Kwok SK, Ju JH, Kim HY, Park SH. Reactive hemophagocytic syndrome in adult Korean patients with systemic lupus erythematosus: a case-control study and literature review. J Rheumatol. 2012; 39:86–93.
crossref
10. Dhote R, Simon J, Papo T, Detournay B, Sailler L, Andre MH, et al. Reactive hemophagocytic syndrome in adult systemic disease: report of twenty-six cases and literature review. Arthritis Rheum. 2003; 49:633–9.
crossref
11. Carvalheiras G, Anjo D, Mendonça T, Vasconcelos C, Farinha F. Hemophagocytic syndrome as one of the main primary manifestations in acute systemic lupus erythematosus: case report and literature review. Lupus. 2010; 19:756–61.
12. Baker KS, DeLaat CA, Steinbuch M, Gross TG, Shapiro RS, Loechelt B, et al. Successful correction of hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis with related or unrelated bone marrow transplantation. Blood. 1997; 89:3857–63.
crossref
13. Dürken M, Finckenstein FG, Janka GE. Bone marrow transplantation in hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis. Leuk Lymphoma. 2001; 41:89–95.
crossref
14. Yoon HS, Im HJ, Moon HN, Lee JH, Kim HJ, Yoo KH, et al. The outcome of hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in Korean children with hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis. Pediatr Transplant. 2010; 14:735–40.
crossref
15. Hwang JY, No SM, Lee J, Jang PS, Kim YH, Kim JT, et al. A case of hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis in a child with systemic lupus erythematosus. J Korean Pediatr Soc. 2003; 46:1029–31.

Figure 1.
Bone marrow aspirate smear showing macrophage phagocyting (A) neutrophils and platelets and (B) platelets and red blood cells. The border of macrophage is shown in white arrows (Wright stain, ×1,000).
jrd-22-180f1.tif
TOOLS
Similar articles