A Case of Human Immunodeficiency Virus -triggered Hemophagocytic Lymphohistocytosis Presenting with Severe Bleeding Tendency
- Author:
Bongyoung KIM
1
;
Yeon Woo CHOI
;
Hyunjoo PAI
;
Jieun KIM
Author Information
- Publication Type:Case Report
- From:Infection and Chemotherapy 2021;53(4):802-807
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
- Abstract: Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is one of the less common triggers of secondary hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) in which coagulation disorder is a frequent manifestation. Here, we present a case of HIV-triggered secondary HLH presenting with severe bleeding tendency and fever. Despite high-dose dexamethasone infusion (10 mg/body surface area/day), progressive disseminated intravascular coagulation and thrombocytopenia resulted in massive hemathochezia: the bleeding episode ceased after endoscopic hemoclipping. After then, he took a highly-active antiretroviral therapy (HAART). Eventually, body temperature and overall laboratory findings normalized in response to HAART.Clinicians should not overlook HIV infection as a possible trigger of secondary HLH. In such cases, HAART is the core treatment.
