Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis as a diagnostic consideration of fever of unknown origin with pancytopenia and chronic liver disease

• Main Authors: Amisha, Paras Malik, Monika Pathania, Vyas K Rathaur, Nidhi Kaeley
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications 2019-01-01
• Series: Journal of Family Medicine and Primary Care
• Subjects: Corticosteroids; hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis; Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis-2004 protocol; Staphylococcus aureus; urinary tract infection; Widal test
• Online Access: http://www.jfmpc.com/article.asp?issn=2249-4863;year=2019;volume=8;issue=4;spage=1504;epage=1507;aulast=Malik

Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) is a severe disorder of systemic immune dysregulation which can be primary or secondary to autoimmune disorders, malignancy, or infections. We hereby describe a case of a 23-year-old male with severe hepatitis along with pancytopenia and prolonged fever of unknown origin that developed HLH triggered by staphylococcal urinary tract infection. This is a discussion of this unusual disease and its presentation and the diagnostic difficulties which may be encountered in general clinical practice.