Acute HIV infection presenting as hemophagocytic syndrome with an unusual serological and virological response to ART

Hemophagocytic Lymphohistiocytosis due to Disseminated Histoplasmosis in a Patient with HIV Infection

Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis is usually considered a rapidly progressive fatal illness with poor outcomes. It is of two types: primary or familial and secondary. In patients with HIV, opportunistic infections are the secondary triggers of HLH. First line of management of infection associated HLH is treatment of the underlying infection. Here, we present a case of HLH in HIV infection due to disseminated histoplasmosis managed with liposomal amphotericin B, who required immunosuppressive therapy with intravenous immunoglobulin and dexamethasone due to nonresponse to primary therapy.

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.

An Unusual Case of Hemophagocytic Lymphohistiocytosis Presentation in Acute Human Immunodeficiency Virus

Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) in acute human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) patients has been scarcely reported in the English literature. To the best of our knowledge, only 12 cases have been described. We present a case of a 27-year-old male with no past medical history who was admitted with a new-onset headache, fever, night sweats, and chills. Further laboratory tests revealed transaminitis, leukopenia, thrombocytopenia, positive HIV antigen/antibody test, and markedly elevated ferritin levels, which promoted our suspicion of HLH. This case demonstrates HLH as an unusual presentation of HIV during its seroconversion stage. This report adds a rare disease process to the available literature, and we emphasize that markedly elevated ferritin levels in acute HIV patients should raise suspicion toward a diagnosis of HLH.

A Case of Hemophagocytic Lymphohistiocytosis Secondary to Disseminated Histoplasmosis

Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) is a rare condition characterized by a pathologic immune dysregulation resulting in extreme inflammation. Clinical manifestations are varied but can include severe multiorgan failure and death. HLH has been associated with malignancies, autoimmune diseases, and infections, such as histoplasmosis. Histoplasmosis commonly has subclinical manifestations but can also present in its disseminated form. We present the case of an immunocompromised patient with worsening liver function caused by hepatic histoplasmosis that later triggered HLH with severe multiorgan dysfunction.

Histoplasmosis-Associated Hemophagocytic Lymphohistiocytosis: A Review of the Literature

Background

Histoplasmosis is an endemic fungal disease with diverse clinical presentations. Histoplasmosis-associated hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) is a rare disorder with limited data regarding treatment and outcome. We described the clinical features, treatment, and outcomes of five patients in our institution with histoplasmosis-associated HLH. This review also summarizes the current literature about presentation, treatment, and outcome of this infection-related HLH entity.

Methods

We searched the electronic medical records for patients with histoplasmosis-associated HLH at our institution from 1/1/2006 to 9/30/2017. Diagnosis of HLH was confirmed by chart review using the HLH-04 criteria. We also searched the current literature for case reports and case series.

Results

Five cases of histoplasmosis-associated HLH were included from our institution. All five patients were diagnosed after 2010. The literature review yielded 60 additional cases of histoplasmosis-associated HLH. The most common underlying condition was HIV in 61% of cases. The majority of histoplasmosis patients (81%) were treated with amphotericin B formulations. Documented specific treatments for HLH were as follows: nine patients received steroids only, six patients received intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) only, three patients received dexamethasone and etoposide, two patients received etoposide, dexamethasone, and cyclosporine, two patients received steroids and IVIG, and one patient received Anakinra and IVIG. The inpatient case fatality rate was 31% with most of the deaths occurring within two weeks of hospital admission.

Conclusions

Histoplasmosis-associated HLH among adults is an uncommon but serious complication with high associated mortality. Early antifungal therapy with a lipid formulation amphotericin B is critical. The initiation of immunosuppressive therapy with regimens like HLH-04 in this disease entity should be individualized.

Short Communication: Extremely Severe CD4 Lymphopenia During HIV-1 Primary Infection

We report the case of a patient with a very profound CD4 T cell lymphopenia <20 cells/mm³ in the context of a primary HIV-1 infection, associated with both delayed HIV-specific antibody and CD8 T cell responses. A long-term immune reconstitution was observed after immediate initiation of antiretroviral therapy.

A Case of Human Immunodeficiency Virus -triggered Hemophagocytic Lymphohistocytosis Presenting with Severe Bleeding Tendency

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.

Reactive hemophagocytic syndrome in the setting of acute human immunodeficiency virus 1 infection: case report and review of the literature

We report a case of reactive hemophagocytic syndrome (RHS) in the setting of acute human immunodeficiency virus type 1 infection (AHI). In addition, we review 11 previously reported cases of RHS precipitated by AHI and discuss strategies in the diagnosis and management of these overlapping clinical entities.