Rapidly fatal reactive hemophagocytosis syndrome associated with visceral leishmaniasis

Abstract

Hemophagocytosis syndrome secondary to visceral leishmaniasis (VL) is rare. The diagnosis is likely to be missed because of its clinical presentation similar to VL. Because Leishmaniasis is endemic in many states of India, primary treating physicians needs to be sensitized about the existence of this potentially fatal but treatable entity. Further, it is important to differentiate infection associated reactive hemophagocytosis syndrome (RHS) from primary hemophagocytosis to avoid unnecessary and potentially harmful cytotoxic therapy in infection associated hemophagocytosis. In this report, a young boy who developed accelerated RHS secondary to VL is presented. He succumbed to acute haematological complications of RHS while undergoing procedures for establishing the diagnosis of his primary illness.

Keywords

Hemophagocytosis syndrome - visceral leishmaniasis - children