Work

Hemophagocytic Lymphohistiocytosis Secondary to Melioidosis in Paediatric Patients: A Case Series

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Background: Melioidosis caused by Burkholderia pseudomallei manifests as a variety of infectious symptoms. However, hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) secondary to bacteraemic melioidosis is rarely documented in the literature. We report a series of fatal cases of melioidosis combined with HLH in one Chinese family. Case Presentation: Three cases of melioidosis with HLH were reported in a family with three children, two boys aged 4 and 6 years and a 12-year-old girl. The most common clinical presentation was fever. A blood culture confirmed B. pseudomallei , and bone marrow aspiration revealed hemophagocytosis. Despite the administration of antibiotics, glucocorticoids and other treatments, all the patients died, and their deaths were attributed to HLH. Conclusion: Melioidosis complicating HLH is rare in occurrence, but the mortality rate is high. Clinicians should be aware of the risk of a B. pseudomallei bloodstream infection in children. Keywords: melioidosis, Burkholderia pseudomallei , hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis, family

Source: Infection and Drug Resistance

DOI: 10.2147/idr.s505259

Authors: Kecheng Wan, Yingjie Liu, Yuwen Chen, Song Sun, Hong Liang

Institutions: Hainan General Hospital, Hainan Medical University

Language: English

Topic: Burkholderia infections and melioidosis

Subfield: Epidemiology

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $2,836