CO08 | Two cases of post-traumatic hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis: a potential cause of fever and cytopenia after trauma
Year: 2025
Type: article
Study design: Case Report
Abstract: Background: Post-traumatic hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (PT-HLH) is a rare and potentially life-threatening condition characterized by uncontrolled activation of the immune system. The diagnosis is often made in the setting of exclusion of other conditions, such as infections and malignancies.Case Description: We present two cases of adult patients who developed fever and pancytopenia after severe trauma. While more common causes were excluded, we observed hepatosplenomegaly and elevated levels of inflammatory markers, serum ferritin, and triglycerides. On these findings we started to consider the diagnosis of post-traumatic hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH), which was then confirmed by bone marrow biopsy. Treatment with high-dose corticosteroids and intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) was initiated promptly after biopsy, resulting in rapid clinical improvement in both patients.Conclusions: This case report highlights the importance of considering PT-HLH in the differential diagnosis of patients with fever, cytopenias and multiorgan dysfunction following trauma. Early diagnosis and treatment of PT-HLH can lead to a better outcome.
Source: Italian Journal of Medicine
Authors: Vo Van Kha, Tran Thi Huong Ly, Pham Thi Thanh Hoa, Vo Huynh Nhu, Damas Hendriansyah, Nusratuddin Abdullah, Rudy B. Leonardy, Mardiah Tahir, Samrichard Rambulangi, Firdaus Hamid, Filomena Pietrantonio, Vera Kopsaj, Francesco Rosiello, Aurora Tomassoni, Luca Moriconi, Donatella Padua, Kiki Rizki Amelia, Efendi Lukas, Nurbani Bangsawan, Isharyah Sunarno, Retno Budiarti Farid, Sriwijaya Qadar, Rabab H. Elshaikh, Ashok Kumar Sah, Abdelrahman Mohamed Abukanna, Abdulrahman Algarni, Ammar Abdelmola, Hussam Ali Osman, Tagwa Yousif Elsayed Yousif, Elryah I. Ali, Hiba Ali, Ayman Hussein Alfeel, Thanh Long Nguyen, Victor Storm, Lam Toi Phung, Cong Thien Le, Thi Thu Ha Le, Thi Hoa Nguyen, Son Tung Vu, Thien Thang Tran, Minh Hanh Vu, Van Tuan Nguyen, Francesco Ventrella, Anna Belfiore, Antonio Greco, Franco Mastroianni, Salvatore Lenti, Domenico Ruggiero, Michele Cannone, Vincenzo Ostilio Palmieri, Massimo Errico, Giuseppe Mancia, Guido Grassi, Sverre E. Kjeldsen
Language: English
Subfield: Hematology
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: diamond
OpenAlex ID: W4413800995