Successful treatment with liposomal doxorubicin for widespread Kaposi's sarcoma and human herpesvirus-8 related severe hemophagocytic syndrome in a patient with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome

A Review of Hemophagocytic Lymphohistiocytosis in Patients With HIV

We provide an elaborate review of cases published between January 2005 and April 2021 on hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) in HIV patients. Seventy articles describing 81 adult patients (age ≥19 years) were included. The median age was 40 years, and 78% were males. Only 65% were known to have HIV before presentation. CD4 count was ≥200 cells/mm3 in 23%, and HIV viral load was <200 copies/mL in 41%. The lack of meticulous reporting of ≥5 of 8 criteria for HLH diagnosis was evident in a third of cases. At least 1 infectious agent-other than HIV-was believed to trigger HLH in 78% of patients. The most common were Epstein-Barr virus (26%), human herpesvirus 8 (21%), and Histoplasma capsulatum (17%). Sixty percent survived. Among those, 93% received treatment for identified secondary trigger(s), while 51% received HLH-directed therapy. There was significant heterogeneity in the treatment regimens used for HLH.

Haemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis in human immunodeficiency virus: a systematic review of literature

Diagnosis and management of hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) in patients with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection are scarcely described in the published literature. The aim of this systematic review was to delineate the triggers of HLH in patients with HIV and understand the role of steroids in the management. We conducted a comprehensive search of English medical literature via the Medline ⁄ PubMed database using different synonyms of "HIV" AND "HLH". The review was registered in PROSPERO (CRD42018099987). The titles and abstracts of the 185 articles between January 1986 and April 2018 were reviewed. The final analysis was done from 42 articles with 52 patients. HLH was associated with malignancy in 17 patients, while infection was found in 25 patients. No cause was identified in eight patients, out of which four had acute HIV infection. Death was reported in 21 patients. Presence of either malignancy (p = 0.051) or opportunistic infection (p = 0.69) was not associated with increased chances of death by univariate analysis. A total of 26 patients were treated with steroids, while etoposide was used in only four patients. Administration of steroids as a treatment of HLH was associated with more chances of death (p = 0.048). Malignancy and Opportunistic infections are important triggers for HLH in patients with HIV. Acute HIV by itself can act as a trigger for HLH. Evidence on the use of steroids as a treatment of HLH in patients with HIV is not convincing.

Macrophage Activation Syndrome

Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH), or termed macrophage activation syndrome (MAS) when associated with rheumatic disorders, is a frequently fatal complication of infections, rheumatic disorders, and hematopoietic malignancies. Clinically, HLH/MAS is a life-threatening condition that is usually diagnosed among febrile hospitalized patients (children and adults) who commonly present with unremitting fever and a shock-like multiorgan dysfunction scenario. Laboratory studies reveal pancytopenia, elevated liver enzymes, elevated markers of inflammation (ESR, CRP), hyperferritinemia, and features of coagulopathy. In about 60% of cases, excess hemophagocytosis (macrophages/histiocytes engulfing other hematopoietic cell types) is noted on biopsy specimens from the bone marrow, liver, lymph nodes, and other organs. HLH/MAS has been hypothesized to occur when a threshold level of inflammation has been achieved, and genetic and environmental risk factors are believed to contribute to the hyperinflammatory state. A broad variety of infections, from viruses to fungi to bacteria, have been identified as triggers of HLH/MAS, either in isolation or in addition to an underlying inflammatory disease state. Certain infections, particularly by members of the herpesvirus family, are the most notorious triggers of HLH/MAS. Treatment for infection-triggered MAS requires therapy for both the underlying infection and dampening of the hyperactive immune response.

Viral infections associated with haemophagocytic syndrome

Haemophagocytic syndrome (HPS) or haemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) is a rare disease caused by a dysfunction of cytotoxic T cells and NK cells. This T cell/NK cell dysregulation causes an aberrant cytokine release, resulting in proliferation/activation of histiocytes with subsequent haemophagocytosis. Histiocytic infiltration of the reticuloendothelial system results in hepatomegaly, splenomegaly, lymphadenopathy and pancytopenia ultimately leading to multiple organ dysfunctions. Common clinical features include high fevers despite broad spectrum antimicrobials, maculopapular rash, neurological symptoms, coagulopathy and abnormal liver function tests. Haemophagocytic syndrome can be either primary, i.e. due to an underlying genetic defect or secondary, associated with malignancies, autoimmune diseases (also called macrophage activation syndrome) or infections. Infectious triggers are most commonly due to viral infections mainly of the herpes group, with EBV being the most common cause. HPS can be fatal if untreated. Early recognition of the clinical presentation and laboratory abnormalities associated with HPS and prompt initiation of treatment can be life saving. HPS triggered by viral infections generally does not respond to specific antiviral therapy but may be treated with immunosuppressive/immunomodulatory agents and, in refractory cases, with bone marrow transplantation. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.