Babesiosis with low parasitemia as a cause of secondary hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis in a previously healthy adult
The incidence of babesiosis is increasing and clinicians should have a high index of suspicion due to its diagnostic challenges and variable disease course, from asymptomatic infection to fulminant disease. We present a case of fatal secondary hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (sHLH) due to acute b...
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| Language: | English |
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Elsevier
2025-01-01
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| Series: | IDCases |
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| Online Access: | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2214250925000277 |
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| author | Max W. Jacobs Joseph M. Rocco Lisa K. Andersen Thomas E. Robertson |
| author_facet | Max W. Jacobs Joseph M. Rocco Lisa K. Andersen Thomas E. Robertson |
| author_sort | Max W. Jacobs |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | The incidence of babesiosis is increasing and clinicians should have a high index of suspicion due to its diagnostic challenges and variable disease course, from asymptomatic infection to fulminant disease. We present a case of fatal secondary hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (sHLH) due to acute babesiosis in a previously healthy adult. We also present a comprehensive review of previously reported sHLH cases triggered by babesiosis. Host factors, such as immunocompromising conditions or medications, appear to be a risk factor for developing sHLH while it is unclear if percent parasitemia of babesia correlates with development or outcomes of HLH. Increasing awareness to improve time to diagnosis is vital for treating both babesiosis and sHLH, while future studies should investigate the role for immunomodulator therapy in this setting. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-0eaea96e81674d4b980b8c9dcf03ac6a |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2214-2509 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-01-01 |
| publisher | Elsevier |
| record_format | Article |
| series | IDCases |
| spelling | doaj-art-0eaea96e81674d4b980b8c9dcf03ac6a2025-02-04T04:10:25ZengElsevierIDCases2214-25092025-01-0139e02172Babesiosis with low parasitemia as a cause of secondary hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis in a previously healthy adultMax W. Jacobs0Joseph M. Rocco1Lisa K. Andersen2Thomas E. Robertson3Medicine Institute, Allegheny Health Network, Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Correspondence to: Allegheny General Hospital, Internal Medicine Residency, 320 East North Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15212, USA.National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USAPathology Institute, Allegheny Health Network, Pittsburgh, PA, USAMedicine Institute, Allegheny Health Network, Pittsburgh, PA, USAThe incidence of babesiosis is increasing and clinicians should have a high index of suspicion due to its diagnostic challenges and variable disease course, from asymptomatic infection to fulminant disease. We present a case of fatal secondary hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (sHLH) due to acute babesiosis in a previously healthy adult. We also present a comprehensive review of previously reported sHLH cases triggered by babesiosis. Host factors, such as immunocompromising conditions or medications, appear to be a risk factor for developing sHLH while it is unclear if percent parasitemia of babesia correlates with development or outcomes of HLH. Increasing awareness to improve time to diagnosis is vital for treating both babesiosis and sHLH, while future studies should investigate the role for immunomodulator therapy in this setting.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2214250925000277BabesiosisSecondary hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosisHyperinflammation |
| spellingShingle | Max W. Jacobs Joseph M. Rocco Lisa K. Andersen Thomas E. Robertson Babesiosis with low parasitemia as a cause of secondary hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis in a previously healthy adult IDCases Babesiosis Secondary hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis Hyperinflammation |
| title | Babesiosis with low parasitemia as a cause of secondary hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis in a previously healthy adult |
| title_full | Babesiosis with low parasitemia as a cause of secondary hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis in a previously healthy adult |
| title_fullStr | Babesiosis with low parasitemia as a cause of secondary hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis in a previously healthy adult |
| title_full_unstemmed | Babesiosis with low parasitemia as a cause of secondary hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis in a previously healthy adult |
| title_short | Babesiosis with low parasitemia as a cause of secondary hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis in a previously healthy adult |
| title_sort | babesiosis with low parasitemia as a cause of secondary hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis in a previously healthy adult |
| topic | Babesiosis Secondary hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis Hyperinflammation |
| url | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2214250925000277 |
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