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      Secondary Hemophagocytic Lymphohistiocytosis Complicated by a Cavitary Lung Lesion in a Kidney Transplant Recipient

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          Abstract

          Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) is an uncommon life-threatening condition caused by an uncontrolled immunological response. It can develop secondary to malignancies, infections, systemic diseases, and immunosuppression. Multiple risk factors may present in kidney transplant recipients; however, the cases of HLH in this population have been described sparsely. We report a case of a 39-year-old female kidney transplant recipient who presented to the hospital nearly 3.5 years after the transplantation with general malaise, recent history of weight loss, fevers, and persistent anemia. Laboratory tests showed pancytopenia, hyperferritinemia, hypertriglyceridemia, and increased activity of lactate dehydrogenase. A bone marrow aspiration revealed hemophagocytosis, which led to the diagnosis of HLH. Therapy consisting of high-dose steroids and plasma exchanges was administered, resulting in a significant improvement of blood count parameters and the patient’s general condition. While searching for the triggering disease, a single cavitary lesion in the right lung was revealed in a chest radiograph. Computed tomography scan, bronchoscopy, and additional laboratory testing did not reveal a definitive cause of the lesion. We suspect that the lesion may be a consequence of HLH. The patient was disqualified from thoracic surgery due to multiple comorbidities. Even though HLH is a rare condition, it should be taken into consideration in a kidney transplant patient presenting with unspecific symptoms accompanied by a bicytopenia. It has an unpredictable course that often results in serious complications. Thus close follow-up of the patient and a wide array of imaging and laboratory tests remain crucial.

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          Most cited references17

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          HLH-2004: Diagnostic and therapeutic guidelines for hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis.

          In HLH-94, the first prospective international treatment study for hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH), diagnosis was based on five criteria (fever, splenomegaly, bicytopenia, hypertriglyceridemia and/or hypofibrinogenemia, and hemophagocytosis). In HLH-2004 three additional criteria are introduced; low/absent NK-cell-activity, hyperferritinemia, and high-soluble interleukin-2-receptor levels. Altogether five of these eight criteria must be fulfilled, unless family history or molecular diagnosis is consistent with HLH. HLH-2004 chemo-immunotherapy includes etoposide, dexamethasone, cyclosporine A upfront and, in selected patients, intrathecal therapy with methotrexate and corticosteroids. Subsequent hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) is recommended for patients with familial disease or molecular diagnosis, and patients with severe and persistent, or reactivated, disease. In order to hopefully further improve diagnosis, therapy and biological understanding, participation in HLH studies is encouraged.
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            How I treat hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis in the adult patient.

            Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) is a devastating disorder of uncontrolled immune activation characterized by clinical and laboratory evidence of extreme inflammation. This syndrome can be caused by genetic mutations affecting cytotoxic function (familial HLH) or be secondary to infectious, rheumatologic, malignant, or metabolic conditions (acquired HLH). Prompt recognition is paramount and, without early treatment, this disorder is frequently fatal. Although HLH is well described in the pediatric population, less is known about the appropriate work-up and treatment in adults. Here, we review the clinical characteristics, diagnosis, and treatment of HLH in adults.
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              Approach to hemophagocytic syndromes.

              Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) is a potentially fatal hyperinflammatory condition. It may occur as a primary (genetic) condition due to mutations in genes important in the cytolytic secretory pathway that cause perforin and granzymes to induce apoptosis in target cells. Primary HLH is divided into familial HLH (FHLH1-5), in which HLH is the only manifestation of disease, and other genetic causes in which HLH is one of several clinical manifestations. The identical clinical findings may arise secondary to infectious, rheumatologic, malignant, or metabolic conditions. Whether primary or secondary, HLH therapy needs to be instituted promptly to prevent irreversible tissue damage. It is helpful to think of HLH as the severe end of the spectrum of hyperinflammatory disorders when the immune system starts to damage host tissues (immunopathology). Therefore, no single clinical feature alone is diagnostic for HLH, and it is important that the entire clinical presentation be considered in making the diagnosis. This article contains a discussion of the genetic background, clinical presentation, diagnostic dilemmas, and features that are helpful in making the diagnosis of HLH, along with a discussion of common problems in its management.
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                Author and article information

                Journal
                CND
                CND
                10.1159/issn.2296-9705
                Case Reports in Nephrology and Dialysis
                S. Karger AG
                2296-9705
                2021
                May - August 2021
                09 July 2021
                : 11
                : 2
                : 195-203
                Affiliations
                Department of Nephrology, Hypertension and Kidney Transplantation, Medical University of Lodz, Lodz, Poland
                Author notes
                *Michał Nowicki, nefro@wp.pl
                Author information
                https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0823-5440
                Article
                516401 Case Rep Nephrol Dial 2021;11:195–203
                10.1159/000516401
                8299386
                34327223
                11898e84-594f-48d5-94df-248611976ff4
                © 2021 The Author(s). Published by S. Karger AG, Basel

                This article is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License (CC BY-NC). Usage and distribution for commercial purposes requires written permission. Drug Dosage: The authors and the publisher have exerted every effort to ensure that drug selection and dosage set forth in this text are in accord with current recommendations and practice at the time of publication. However, in view of ongoing research, changes in government regulations, and the constant flow of information relating to drug therapy and drug reactions, the reader is urged to check the package insert for each drug for any changes in indications and dosage and for added warnings and precautions. This is particularly important when the recommended agent is a new and/or infrequently employed drug. Disclaimer: The statements, opinions and data contained in this publication are solely those of the individual authors and contributors and not of the publishers and the editor(s). The appearance of advertisements or/and product references in the publication is not a warranty, endorsement, or approval of the products or services advertised or of their effectiveness, quality or safety. The publisher and the editor(s) disclaim responsibility for any injury to persons or property resulting from any ideas, methods, instructions or products referred to in the content or advertisements.

                History
                : 23 November 2020
                : 04 April 2021
                Page count
                Figures: 4, Pages: 9
                Categories
                Single Case

                Cardiovascular Medicine,Nephrology
                Pulmonary complication,Renal transplant,Cavitary lung lesion,Secondary hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis

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