Hemophagocytic Syndrome Secondary to Cytomegalovirus Infection in a Patient with Human Immunodeficiency Virus

Abstract

Hemophagocytic Syndrome (HPS) or Hemophagocytic Lymphohistiocytosis is characterized by a dysregulation of the immune system with activation of macrophages and T lymphocytes, the product of an uncontrollable and excessive inflammatory response to different stimuli. The case of a patient with a history of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) under current treatment is presented, a clinical picture of 10 days of evolution characterized by fever, anorexia and asthenia, on physical examination skin-mucosa paleness, dehydration, generalized lymphadenopathy, hepatosplenomegaly. Paraclinical tests are performed suggesting reactivation of infection by Cytomegalovirus (CMV), in addition, during its in-hospital evolution, marked pancytopenia is evidenced, with elevated ferritin values, a bone marrow biopsy is performed, observing proliferation of Histiocytes, the patient meets the diagnostic criteria for HPS proposed by the Histiocyte Society in 2004, treatment was instituted, however it presented a torpid evolution and reached death. It is concluded that the diagnosis of HPS is complex; it is usually overlapped by the underlying diseases, as is the case of this HIV patient with reactivation of CMV infection; both viruses by themselves are related to HPS; therefore, knowledge of the clinical and laboratory criteria of this entity is necessary to make an early diagnosis and establish timely treatment, thus reducing mortality.