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Chen Y, Huang X, Chen H, Tong J, Huang L, Su J, Deng L. A Case Report of Pregnancy Complicated with Primary Hemophagocytic Lymphohistiocytosis. Int J Womens Health 2024; 16:843-851. [PMID: 38774152 PMCID: PMC11107908 DOI: 10.2147/ijwh.s460352] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2024] [Accepted: 05/10/2024] [Indexed: 05/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) is a severe hyperinflammatory syndrome characterized by excessive activation of NK cells and cytotoxic T lymphocytes, subsequently leading to macrophage activation and increased cytokine production. Misdiagnosis due to nonspecific clinical presentations and inadequate understanding of the disease can significantly jeopardize the safety of both the mother and the infant. We report a case of pregnancy combined with HLH and conduct a literature review to provide insights into the diagnosis and treatment of pregnancy-related HLH. Case Presentation We discussed a case of a pregnant woman with persistent postpartum fever, serum ferritin, and elevated liver function, who failed to respond to repeated anti-infective therapy and was diagnosed with HLH after multidisciplinary diagnostic treatment. We gave dexamethasone treatment, and the patient's temperature and blood cells quickly returned to normal. Finally, exome sequencing revealed heterozygous variation in UNC13D gene, so we considered this case as pregnancy combined with primary HLH (pHLH). Conclusion We report the case of HLH diagnosed during pregnancy and show that early diagnosis and timely intervention can prevent rapid disease progression, reduce maternal mortality rates, and improve survival rates. Additionally, molecular genetic testing can confirm pathogenic gene mutations, providing essential genetic counseling for patients with pHLH who plan to conceive a healthy child.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan Chen
- Department of Obstetrics, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi, 530007, People’s Republic of China
| | - Xiaohuan Huang
- Department of Obstetrics, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi, 530007, People’s Republic of China
| | - Hongfei Chen
- Department of Obstetrics, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi, 530007, People’s Republic of China
| | - Junru Tong
- Department of Obstetrics, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi, 530007, People’s Republic of China
| | - Lingling Huang
- Department of Obstetrics, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi, 530007, People’s Republic of China
| | - Junyou Su
- Department of Obstetrics, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi, 530007, People’s Republic of China
| | - Li Deng
- Department of Obstetrics, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi, 530007, People’s Republic of China
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Cox MF, Mackenzie S, Low R, Brown M, Sanchez E, Carr A, Carpenter B, Bishton M, Duncombe A, Akpabio A, Kulasekararaj A, Sin FE, Jones A, Kavirayani A, Sen ES, Quick V, Dulay GS, Clark S, Bauchmuller K, Tattersall RS, Manson JJ. Diagnosis and investigation of suspected haemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis in adults: 2023 Hyperinflammation and HLH Across Speciality Collaboration (HiHASC) consensus guideline. THE LANCET. RHEUMATOLOGY 2024; 6:e51-e62. [PMID: 38258680 DOI: 10.1016/s2665-9913(23)00273-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2023] [Revised: 10/01/2023] [Accepted: 10/04/2023] [Indexed: 01/24/2024]
Abstract
Haemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) is a hyperinflammatory syndrome characterised by persistently activated cytotoxic lymphocytes and macrophages, which, if untreated, leads to multiorgan dysfunction and death. HLH should be considered in any acutely unwell patient not responding to treatment as expected, with prompt assessment to look for what we term the three Fs-fever, falling blood counts, and raised ferritin. Worldwide, awareness of HLH and access to expert management remain inequitable. Terminology is not standardised, classification criteria are validated in specific patient groups only, and some guidelines rely on specialised and somewhat inaccessible tests. The consensus guideline described in this Health Policy was produced by a self-nominated working group from the UK network Hyperinflammation and HLH Across Speciality Collaboration (HiHASC), a multidisciplinary group of clinicians experienced in managing people with HLH. Combining literature review and experience gained from looking after patients with HLH, it provides a practical, structured approach for all health-care teams managing adult (>16 years) patients with possible HLH. The focus is on early recognition and diagnosis of HLH and parallel identification of the underlying cause. To ensure wide applicability, the use of inexpensive, readily available tests is prioritised, but the role of specialist investigations and their interpretation is also addressed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miriam F Cox
- Department of Rheumatology, Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Sheffield, UK
| | - Strachan Mackenzie
- Department of Haematology, University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | - Ryan Low
- Department of Haematology, University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | - Michael Brown
- Division of Infection, University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | - Emilie Sanchez
- Department of Clinical Virology, University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | - Aisling Carr
- Centre for Neuromuscular Diseases, National hospital of Neurology and Neurosurgery, London, UK
| | - Ben Carpenter
- Department of Haematology, University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | - Mark Bishton
- Department of Haematology, Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust, Nottingham, UK
| | - Andrew Duncombe
- Department of Haematology, University Hospital Southampton, Southampton, UK
| | - Akpabio Akpabio
- Department of Rheumatology, Royal National Hospital for Rheumatic Diseases, Bath, UK
| | | | - Fang En Sin
- Department of Rheumatology, North Bristol NHS Trust, UK
| | - Alexis Jones
- Department of Rheumatology, University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | - Akhila Kavirayani
- Department of Paediatric Rheumatology, Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Oxford, UK
| | - Ethan S Sen
- Department of Paediatric Rheumatology, Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - Vanessa Quick
- Department of Rheumatology, Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Trust, Luton, UK
| | - Gurdeep S Dulay
- Department of Rheumatology, Portsmouth Hospitals University NHS Trust, Portsmouth, UK
| | - Sam Clark
- Department of Critical Care, University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | - Kris Bauchmuller
- Department of Critical Care, Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Sheffield, UK
| | - Rachel S Tattersall
- Department of Rheumatology, Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Sheffield, UK
| | - Jessica J Manson
- Department of Rheumatology, University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK.
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