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Background: Hemophagocytic syndrome or hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HL) is an immune hyperactivation of multifactorial etiology, characterized by excessive activation of lymphocytes and macrophages, as well as numerous pro-inflammatory cytokines. It has a non-specific and highly variable clinical presentation, with splenomegaly being one of the clinical manifestations. Due to its nature, it can manifest during childhood or adult life, which is why it is a disease of diagnostic and therapeutic complexity. Clinical case: 38-year-old male patient without comorbidities, who presented with abdominal pain, choluria, fever > 38 °C and diaphoresis of more than 10 days of evolution. A bone marrow aspirate was performed as part of the diagnostic approach with data compatible with hemophagocytosis and cytopenias. The immunosuppressive management did not show the expected response, which is why an open splenectomy was performed as the last therapeutic option with adequate hematological control. A documentary review of the disease was carried out, and of the therapeutic options, emphasizing surgical management in case of refractoriness to medical treatment. Conclusions: Splenectomy increases the overall survival rate and the time free of HL progression, even though there are still no studies to determine with certainty the ideal time to perform a splenectomy in patients with pancytopenia without splenomegaly who suffer from hemophagocytic syndrome.

Introducción: el síndrome hemofagocítico o linfohistiocitosis hemofagocítica (LH) es una hiperactivación inmune de etiología multifactorial, caracterizada por activación excesiva de linfocitos y macrófagos, así como por numerosas citocinas proinflamatorias. Tiene una presentación clínica poco específica y muy variable, y la esplenomegalia es una de las manifestaciones clínicas. Debido a su naturaleza puede manifestarse durante la infancia o la vida adulta, por lo que es una enfermedad de complejidad diagnóstica y terapéutica. Caso clínico: paciente del sexo masculino de 38 años sin comorbilidades, quien presentó dolor abdominal, coluria, fiebre > 38 °C y diaforesis de más de 10 días de evolución. Se le hizo aspirado de médula ósea como parte del abordaje diagnóstico con datos compatibles con hemofagocitosis y citopenias. El manejo inmunosupresor no mostró la respuesta esperada, por lo que se hizo esplenectomía abierta como última opción terapéutica con adecuado control hematológico. Se hizo una revisión documental de la enfermedad y de las opciones terapéuticas con énfasis en el manejo quirúrgico en caso de refractariedad al tratamiento médico. Conclusiones: la esplenectomía aumenta la tasa de supervivencia general y el tiempo libre de progresión de la LH, aunque no hay todavía estudios para determinar con certeza el tiempo ideal para hacer una esplenectomía en pacientes con pancitopenia sin esplenomegalia que padezcan síndrome hemofagocítico.

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Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) is a rare genetic hyperinflammatory syndrome that occurs early in life. Macrophage activation syndrome (MAS) usually refers to a secondary form of HLH associated with autoimmunity, although there are other causes of secondary HLH, such as infections and malignancy. In this article, we reviewed the concepts, epidemiology, clinical and laboratory features, diagnosis, differential diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment of HLH and MAS. We also reviewed the presence of MAS in the most common autoimmune diseases that affect children. Both are severe diseases that require prompt diagnosis and treatment to avoid morbidity and mortality.

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Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) is a rare condition characterized by a hyperinflammatory state secondary to dysregulated immune activity with multisystem involvement. HLH may be primary or hereditary, or triggered by various diseases. Mortality without a timely treatment reaches 50% of the cases. Here we describe the case of a 1-year and 8-month-old female patient with a recent diagnosis of human immunodeficiency virus infection in the AIDS stage. She was hospitalized for assessment and initiation of antiretroviral therapy during which she developed multiple intercurrent infectious and immune conditions. Two episodes of hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis in the setting of uncontrolled acquired immunodeficiency and opportunistic co-infections stand out. The objective of this case report is to highlight the importance of suspecting HLH for a relevant diagnosis and treatment.

La linfohistiocitosis hemofagocítica (LHH) es una entidad rara que se caracteriza por un estado hiperinflamatorio secundario a la activación desregulada del sistema inmune con compromiso multisistémico. Puede ser primaria o hereditaria, o estar desencadenada por diversas enfermedades. La mortalidad sin tratamiento oportuno es del 50 % de los casos. Se presenta el caso de una paciente de 1 año y 8 meses con diagnóstico reciente de infección por virus de inmunodeficiencia humana en estadio sida. Cursó internación para estudio e inicio de tratamiento antirretroviral durante la cual presentó múltiples intercurrencias infectológicas e inmunológicas. Se destacan dos episodios de linfohistiocitosis hemofagocítica en contexto de inmunodeficiencia adquirida no controlada y coinfecciones oportunistas. El objetivo de este reporte es destacar la importancia de la sospecha de LHH para un diagnóstico y tratamiento pertinente.

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A female patient in her 30s presented to the emergency department with a 10-day history of fever, weakness and diaphoresis. Subsequent investigations revealed a diagnosis of haemophagocytic syndrome, secondary to disseminated non-tuberculous mycobacterial infection affecting the bone marrow, lungs, lymph nodes and skin. The bone marrow culture confirmed the presence of Mycobacterium avium infection. The patient's haemophagocytic syndrome was managed using the HLH-2004 chemoimmunotherapy, and M. avium infection was treated with a combination of clarithromycin, ethambutol, rifampicin, ciprofloxacin and amikacin. Throughout her hospitalisation, the patient faced several serious complications arising from both the medications and the prolonged hospital stay (lasting 12 months). However, these complications were promptly identified and effectively managed through a multidisciplinary and comprehensive approach. This approach was crucial in achieving a favourable patient outcome and successful recovery.

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Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) is a rare multisystemic hyperinflammatory disease commonly associated with hepatic dysfunction. Liver injury is mediated by unchecked antigen presentation, hypercytokinemia, dysregulated cytotoxicity by natural killer and CD8 T cells, and disruption of intrinsic hepatic metabolic pathways. Over the past decade, there have been significant advances in diagnostics and expansion in therapeutic armamentarium for this disorder allowing for improved morbidity and mortality. This review discusses the clinical manifestations and pathogenesis of HLH hepatitis in both familial and secondary forms. It will review growing evidence that the intrinsic hepatic response to hypercytokinemia in HLH perpetuates disease progression and the novel therapeutic approaches for patients with HLH-hepatitis/liver failure.

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The case of a 57-year-old male patient with jaundice, high-grade fever, and upper abdominal pain who was recovering from a mild coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) infection is reported. Laboratory analysis showed liver injury with high levels of AST and ALT, as well as an elevated serum ferritin level. The patient underwent a bone marrow biopsy which showed features of hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH), a systemic syndrome caused by immune activation. The patient was successfully treated with etoposide and dexamethasone and kept on maintenance therapy with cyclosporine, with resolution of the HLH. The discussion highlights that COVID-19 infection may cause liver injury, and in severe cases, patients may develop HLH as a cause for liver injury. The incidence of HLH in adults with severe COVID-19 infection is estimated to be lower than 5%. The association between HLH and COVID-19 infection has been studied due to immunological hyperactivation. Signs such as persistent high fever, hepatosplenomegaly, and progressive pancytopenia should raise suspicion for the diagnosis of overlapping HLH. A specific approach using steroids and etoposide, followed by maintenance therapy with cyclosporine, is proposed in the HLH-94 protocol as the mainstay of treatment. It is suggested that HLH should be suspected in patients with laboratory signs of liver injury following COVID-19 infection, especially in patients with high-grade fever and a history of rheumatic conditions.

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OBJECTIVE: To assess the diagnostic and treatment practices among a variety of subspecialists at pediatric institutions in the US. STUDY DESIGN: Using a web-based survey, we assessed the consultation, diagnostic, and treatment preferences of providers from the different pediatric subspecialties who care for pediatric patients with hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH)/macrophage activating syndrome (MAS). Domains included demographics, provider training level and specialty, experience and comfort level with the diagnosis and treatment of HLH/MAS, and institutional approaches toward the diagnosis and management of HLH/MAS. Participants also were given 2 case scenarios: one describing Epstein-Barr virus-associated HLH and another describing an underlying rheumatologic condition with MAS. RESULTS: Of 263 respondents, 23%, 29%, 39%, and 7% identified as hematology/oncology, rheumatology, general pediatrics/critical care/hospitalist, and allergy/immunology, respectively. For Epstein-Barr virus/HLH, hematology/oncology was the preferred first consultant by most respondents other than rheumatologists, of whom only 47% agreed. For MAS, 92% of respondents from all specialties favored a rheumatology consultation. Preferred diagnostic tests varied by subspecialty, with hematology/oncology more likely than rheumatology to order an infectious workup, natural killer cell function, soluble interleukin-2 receptor, bone marrow biopsy, and genetic testing. First-line therapy also varied, with hematology/oncology preferring dexamethasone and etoposide and rheumatology more often preferring methylprednisolone and anakinra. One-half of respondents were unaware of institutional algorithms for diagnosis and treatment of HLH/MAS. Most (85.6%) favored the development of treatment algorithms for HLH/MAS, and 90% supported a multidisciplinary approach. CONCLUSIONS: Current consulting patterns, diagnostic workup, and treatment approaches of HLH/MAS vary by specialty, highlighting the need for standardized management algorithms and institutional multidisciplinary HLH/MAS teams.

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OBJECTIVES: To investigate the prevalence of hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) syndrome in pediatric acute liver failure (PALF) of infancy and assess the diagnostic role of rapid immunologic tests, genotype/phenotype correlations, and clinical outcomes. STUDY DESIGN: We retrospectively analyzed 78 children with PALF aged <24 months referred over almost 2 decades. The studied patients with a phenotype of HLH syndrome had a comprehensive immunologic workup, including additional genetic analysis for primary immunologic causes. RESULTS: Thirty of the 78 children had the HLH phenotype and underwent genetic assessment, which demonstrated positive findings in 19 (63.3%), including 9 (30%) with biallelic primary HLH mutations and 10 (33.3%) with heterozygous mutations and/or polymorphisms. The most common form of primary HLH was familial hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (FHL)-2, diagnosed in 6 children, 4 of whom had a c.50delT (p.Leu17ArgfsTer34) mutation in the PRF1 gene. Three patients with primary HLH received genetic diagnoses of FHL-3, Griscelli syndrome, and LRBA (lipopolysaccharide-responsive vesicle trafficking, beach- and anchor-containing) protein deficiency. Overall mortality in the series was 52.6% (10 of 19), and mortality in children with a documented biallelic pathogenic HLH mutation (ie, primary HLH) was 66.6% (6 of 9). Two children underwent liver transplantation, and 4 children underwent emergency hematopoietic stem cell transplantation; all but 1 child survived medium term. CONCLUSIONS: Primary HLH can be diagnosed retrospectively in approximately one-third of infants with indeterminate PALF (iPALF) who meet the clinical criteria for HLH, often leading to their death. The most common HLH type in iPALF is FHL-2, caused by biallelic mutations in PRF-1. The clinical relevance of observed heterozygous mutations and variants of uncertain significance requires further investigation. Prompt hematopoietic stem cell transplantation could be life-saving in infants who survive the liver injury.

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