A Probable Rickettsial Trigger for Hemophagocytic Lymphohistiocytosis: Murine Typhus

Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) is a serious hyperinflammatory condition with hyperactive cytotoxic T cells and macrophages that can be triggered by various infections, malignancies, and rheumatologic conditions. Herein, we present a rare case of secondary HLH due to probable murine typhus....

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Main Authors: Shreya Kondle, Sharon A. Secola, Khoan Vu
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: American College of Physicians 2024-12-01
Series:Annals of Internal Medicine: Clinical Cases
Online Access:https://www.acpjournals.org/doi/10.7326/aimcc.2024.0690
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author Shreya Kondle
Sharon A. Secola
Khoan Vu
author_facet Shreya Kondle
Sharon A. Secola
Khoan Vu
author_sort Shreya Kondle
collection DOAJ
description Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) is a serious hyperinflammatory condition with hyperactive cytotoxic T cells and macrophages that can be triggered by various infections, malignancies, and rheumatologic conditions. Herein, we present a rare case of secondary HLH due to probable murine typhus. A 65-year-old man presented with generalized weakness, anemia, thrombocytopenia, and elevated liver enzymes. Evaluation revealed extremely elevated ferritin and presence of hemophagocytosis on bone marrow aspirate. He was initially treated with dexamethasone and etoposide for suspected HLH, but additional evaluation confirmed typhus group positivity. With initiation of doxycycline, the patient's clinical condition rapidly improved.
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series Annals of Internal Medicine: Clinical Cases
spelling doaj-art-f990c1cacc14456594c74a9f1d3a5ec12025-08-20T03:18:48ZengAmerican College of PhysiciansAnnals of Internal Medicine: Clinical Cases2767-76642024-12-0131210.7326/aimcc.2024.0690A Probable Rickettsial Trigger for Hemophagocytic Lymphohistiocytosis: Murine TyphusShreya Kondle0Sharon A. Secola1Khoan Vu21Department of Internal Medicine, Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital of Dallas, Dallas, Texas2Department of Pathology, Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital of Dallas, Dallas, Texas3Texas Oncology–Presbyterian Cancer Center Dallas, Dallas, TexasHemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) is a serious hyperinflammatory condition with hyperactive cytotoxic T cells and macrophages that can be triggered by various infections, malignancies, and rheumatologic conditions. Herein, we present a rare case of secondary HLH due to probable murine typhus. A 65-year-old man presented with generalized weakness, anemia, thrombocytopenia, and elevated liver enzymes. Evaluation revealed extremely elevated ferritin and presence of hemophagocytosis on bone marrow aspirate. He was initially treated with dexamethasone and etoposide for suspected HLH, but additional evaluation confirmed typhus group positivity. With initiation of doxycycline, the patient's clinical condition rapidly improved.https://www.acpjournals.org/doi/10.7326/aimcc.2024.0690
spellingShingle Shreya Kondle
Sharon A. Secola
Khoan Vu
A Probable Rickettsial Trigger for Hemophagocytic Lymphohistiocytosis: Murine Typhus
Annals of Internal Medicine: Clinical Cases
title A Probable Rickettsial Trigger for Hemophagocytic Lymphohistiocytosis: Murine Typhus
title_full A Probable Rickettsial Trigger for Hemophagocytic Lymphohistiocytosis: Murine Typhus
title_fullStr A Probable Rickettsial Trigger for Hemophagocytic Lymphohistiocytosis: Murine Typhus
title_full_unstemmed A Probable Rickettsial Trigger for Hemophagocytic Lymphohistiocytosis: Murine Typhus
title_short A Probable Rickettsial Trigger for Hemophagocytic Lymphohistiocytosis: Murine Typhus
title_sort probable rickettsial trigger for hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis murine typhus
url https://www.acpjournals.org/doi/10.7326/aimcc.2024.0690
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