Ehrlichiosis presenting with toxic shock-like syndrome and secondary hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis

J Ark Med Soc. 2013 Jun;109(13):280-2.

Abstract

Human monocytotropic ehrlichios is a tick borne illness caused by Ehrlichia chaffeensis. Ehrlichiosis presenting with septic shock and severe azotemia is rare, and may be seen in immunocompromised individuals. We present a case of ehrlichia induced toxic shock like syndrome in a patient with rheumatoid arthritis on disease modifying agents. He also had oliguric renal failure requiring dialysis on presentation and later found to have Hemophagocytic Lymphohistiocytosis secondary to severe ehrlichia sepsis.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Acute Kidney Injury* / blood
  • Acute Kidney Injury* / diagnosis
  • Acute Kidney Injury* / microbiology
  • Aged
  • Ehrlichia chaffeensis / isolation & purification*
  • Ehrlichiosis / blood*
  • Ehrlichiosis / diagnosis*
  • Humans
  • Lymphohistiocytosis, Hemophagocytic* / blood
  • Lymphohistiocytosis, Hemophagocytic* / diagnosis
  • Lymphohistiocytosis, Hemophagocytic* / microbiology
  • Macrophages / microbiology
  • Male
  • Shock, Septic* / blood
  • Shock, Septic* / diagnosis
  • Shock, Septic* / microbiology