Hemophagocytic syndrome associated with Plasmodium falciparum infection

Indian J Pathol Microbiol. 2011 Jul-Sep;54(3):594-6. doi: 10.4103/0377-4929.85105.

Abstract

Hemophagocytic syndrome (HPS) has been associated with infections, hematological malignancies and autoimmune conditions. Malaria is rarely reported to cause HPS. We report a case of an 11-month-old infant with fever, hepatosplenomegaly, pancytopenia, high serum ferritin, hypertriglyceridemia, and bone marrow hemophagocytosis, consistent with hemophagocytic syndrome. Gametocytes of plasmodium falciparum were identified on bone marrow aspiration. Rapid recovery was observed after treatment with antimalarials.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Antimalarials / administration & dosage
  • Bone Marrow / parasitology
  • Bone Marrow / pathology
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Lymphohistiocytosis, Hemophagocytic / diagnosis*
  • Lymphohistiocytosis, Hemophagocytic / etiology*
  • Malaria, Falciparum / complications*
  • Malaria, Falciparum / drug therapy
  • Malaria, Falciparum / pathology*
  • Male
  • Microscopy
  • Plasmodium falciparum / cytology
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Antimalarials