Haemophagocytic Syndrome in a 19-Year-Old Male with Plasmodium falciparum Malaria

• Main Authors: Rembert Mertens, Sabine D Allard, Lucie Seyler, Kristin Jochmans, Patrick Lacor
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: SMC MEDIA SRL 2014-06-01
• Series: European Journal of Case Reports in Internal Medicine
• Subjects: Plasmodium falciparum, hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis
• Online Access: http://ejcrim.com/index.php/EJCRIM/article/view/73

Objectives: Infectious agents triggering haemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) primarily involve the herpes virus group. We report a case of HLH precipitated by Plasmodium falciparum. Materials and methods: Clinical and laboratory findings in a patient presenting with fever were collected. After confirmation of acute malaria, anti-malarial treatment was administered. Results: Despite initial favourable evolution, the patient developed fever again together with a worsening of the haematological parameters and increased ferritin levels. A bone marrow biopsy confirmed the diagnosis of HLH. Conclusion: This case illustrates that HLH should be considered in the differential diagnosis of acute malaria in patients with persisting fever and pancytopenia.