Rate of decline of ferritin in patients with hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis as a prognostic variable for mortality

Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) is difficult to diagnose and treat. Highly elevated ferritin is strongly associated with HLH and levels may provide a prognostic marker. A comprehensive review of ferritin data from our patients during treatment was analyzed with respect to mortality. A patient was 17 times more likely to die when percent ferritin decrease was less than 50% as compared to a 96% or greater decrease as indicated with multivariate logistic modeling. Higher maximum ferritin levels in the first 3 weeks also contributed to the odds of death (OR = 5.6; 90% CI = 1.2–24.9). Regular ferritin measurements may be useful predicting outcomes in HLH patients. Pediatr Blood Cancer. 2010;56:154–155. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

Simultaneous Occurrence of Viral-Associated Hemophagocytic Syndrome and Langerhans Cell Histiocytosis: A Case Report

Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH) is a class I histiocytosis characterized by the presence of the pathologic Langerhans cell, an unique histiocyte. In contrast to LCH, class II histiocytosis is characterized by the proliferation of mononuclear phagocytes other than Langerhans cells and includes sinus histiocytosis with massive lymphadenopathy, viral-associated hemophagocytic syndrome, and familial hemophagocytic lymphohistiocylosis. Until now, these two classes have been considered separate, if related, entities. We report a 10-month-old girl who presented with pyrexia, hepatosplenomegaly, an edematous skin rash, anemia, thrombocytopenia, and a markedly elevated serum IgG and IgM antibody level to cytomegalovirus. Histologic proof of both hemophagocytosis in the liver and bone marrow and LCH in the skin was obtained at presentation. The clinical course and response to treatment over 6.5 years is recorded. Although the etiology of both class I and class II histiocytosis remains unknown, we speculate that the monocytic/macrophage disorder, as well as the LCH, were both triggered by virus or viral-related monokines secreted by activated macrophages.     

Hemophagocytic Syndrome with Restricted Organ Involvement: Excessive Hemosiderosis and Fibrosis of the Spleen

We report the case history of a 6 1/2-month-old girl with a hemophagocytic syndrome, pancytopenia, and excessive hepatosplenomegaly. Some extraordinary histological features present in this case—restricted organ involvement, excessive hemosiderosis, and fibrosis of the spleen—further contributed to the well-known problem of distinguishing between infection-associated hemophagocytic syndrome and familial hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis.     

Incidence in Sweden and Clinical Features of Familial Hemophagocytic Lymphohistiocytosis

ABSTRACT. We retrospectively studied the incidence of familial hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (FHL) in children during the 16-year period 1971–86. First, all departments of pediatrics, pathology, and infectious diseases were enquired for children with FHL or disorders resembling FHL. Secondly, the causes of death of all children who died during the study period in Sweden ( n = 19 542) were also investigated. Files and histological specimens were further studied in selected children. By using a set of inclusion/exclusion criteria, we found 32 children with FHL. The incidence was 1.2/1000000 children per year. One child per 50 000 live borns developed FHL during this period. The sex ratio was close to 1:1. Prominent early clinical signs were fever (91%), splenomegaly (84%), hepatomegaly (90%), rash (43%), and lymph node enlargement (42%). Neurological symptoms, which developed in 47%, could totally dominate the clinical picture and develop prior to other symptoms and signs. Common laboratory findings were pancytopenia, hypertriglyceridemia, hypofibrinogenemia, elevated serum transaminases, hyperbilirubinemia, hyponatremia, hypoalbuminemia, and a moderate spinal fluid pleocytosis. Chest X-ray often revealed mostly discrete pulmonary infiltrates. FHL is an underdiagnosed disease and in only 11/32 children was diagnosis made during their lifetime. It is important to be aware of the disorder as potential therapy now exists.     

Immunosuppression: Preliminary results of alternative maintenance therapy for familial hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (FHL)

Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) describes a group of disorders with similar clinical features that are associated with a very high mortality rate. Patients with HLH, and particularly the infantile form referred to as familial hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (FHL), are often treated with multiple courses of epipodophyllotoxins, such as etoposide, for prolonged periods of time. Because of the concern regarding the risk of epipodophyllotoxin-induced acute myelogenous leukemia (AML) we have explored the use of immunosuppression as maintenance therapy for patients with FHL while they await the only known definitive treatment, i.e., bone marrow transplantation (BMT). We report 2 infants with FHL who had significant central nervous system involvement at diagnosis. Both were initially treated with etoposide, methotrexate, and glucocorticosteroids. Once clinical improvement was achieved these patients were successfully maintained in clinical remission of FHL on daily cyclosporine A (CSA) and glucocorticosteroids along with intermittent intrathecal methotrexate for 5 months until appropriate unrelated donors could be identified for BMT.     

Clinical assessment of Mycoplasma pneumoniae-associated hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis

Background: Mycoplasma pneumoniae has been reported to be an etiologic pathogen of infection-associated hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH), but few case reports have been available to date.
Methods: The clinical features of four childhood cases of M. pneumoniae -associated hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (Mp-HLH) were retrospectively assessed to obtain data that might be useful for early diagnosis and effective management. The previous English-language literature pertaining to Mp-HLH was also reviewed.
Results: The patients were two boys and two girls, aged between 1 and 11 years of age. One patient was demonstrated to have concurrent infection with rubella. All the patients had typical radiographic features of M. pneumoniae pneumonia, and one patient also had encephalopathy as a complication. All the children underwent bone marrow examination because of antibiotic-refractory fever, mild hepatosplenomegaly, cytopenia, hyperferritinemia and elevated levels of urine β2-microglobulin. Cytopenia and hepatosplenomegaly in the present patients were relatively mild as compared to those in cases of other infection-associated HLH such as Epstein–Barr virus infection-associated HLH. Treatment with corticosteroids resulted in prompt and complete resolution in two cases, and i.v. high-dose gammaglobulin therapy achieved a complete response in another child. Spontaneous resolution under treatment with antibiotics alone was observed in one case.
Conclusion: Although Mp-HLH is a rare complication of M. pneumoniae infection, it should always be considered in patients with antibiotic-refractory M. pneumoniae infections with cytopenia. Mp-HLH might be effectively treated by corticosteroids or high-dose gammaglobulin. To clarify the diverse clinical manifestations of M. pneumoniae infections, immunological interactions between M. pneumoniae and the host immune system should be further investigated.     

Post‐hematopoietic stem cell transplant hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis or an impostor: Case report and review of literature

HLH occurring after HSCT is a relatively rare disease. Many conditions may mimic or trigger HLH in post‐HSCT period (eg, cytokine release syndrome, engraftment syndrome, graft rejection/failure, acute graft‐vs‐host disease, infections systemic inflammatory response syndrome/sepsis, and thrombotic microangiopathy). Moreover, this period is usually marked by febrile illness, cytopenia, and a “cytokine storm” leading to elevation of inflammatory biomarkers like ferritin and sCD25. These parameters overlap with the diagnostic criteria for HLH. Such confounding factors make the management of post‐HSCT HLH quite challenging. We illustrate this critical issue with case report of a patient who was diagnosed with HLH after allogeneic HSCT for tAML. He received MP and CsA for HLH but VP‐16 was not administered due to fear of severe myelosuppression. Fortunately, he responded well to treatment and remains in remission to date. We recommend caution while using HLH‐94/HLH‐2004 guidelines for the diagnosis and management of post‐HSCT HLH. In this article, we pinpoint these issues with a brief review of all the pediatric cases and clinical studies of post‐HSCT HLH along with a critical evaluation of its various diagnostic criteria. Finally, based on the limitations of current diagnostic criteria, we suggest a need for formulating disease‐specific diagnostic criteria for post‐HSCT HLH.     

Challenges in the diagnosis of hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis: Recommendations from the North American Consortium for Histiocytosis (NACHO)

Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) is a syndrome of pathologic immune activation, often associated with genetic defects of lymphocyte cytotoxicity. Though a distinctive constellation of features has been described for HLH, diagnosis remains challenging as patients have diverse presentations associated with a variety of triggers. We propose two concepts to clarify how HLH is diagnosed and treated: within the broader syndrome of HLH, “HLH disease” should be distinguished from “HLH disease mimics” and HLH subtypes should be categorized by specific etiologic associations, not the ambiguous dichotomy of “primary” and “secondary.” We provide expert‐based advice regarding the diagnosis and initiation of treatment for patients with HLH, rooted in improved understanding of its pathophysiology.     

Elevated circulating levels of interleukin-1 receptor antagonist but not IL-1 agonists in hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis

The familial form of hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) is an inherited disease with disturbed immunomodulation and characterized by fever, hepatosplenomegaly, cytopenia, hypertriglyceridemia, and coagulopathy, i.e., findings which are similar to many of the reported biological effects of the inflammatory cytokines. Due to the previously shown hypercytokinemia in active HLH with elevated levels of interleukin (IL)-6, tumor necrosis factor-α, and interferon-gamma, it has been suggested that cytokine dysregulation may be of pathophysiological importance. Here we have assayed the serum levels of the members of the IL-1 ligand family, the two agonists IL-1α and IL-1β and the antagonist IL-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1ra), in nine children with HLH and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) specimens from four children. Serum IL-1ra was elevated in all patients with active disease to a degree which correlated well with disease activity. Furthermore, the levels decreased day by day during treatment of a patient who suffered a relapse. Moreover, high levels of IL-1ra were also detected in CSF during active disease. However, IL-1β levels were all within normal limits and circulating IL-1α levels were normal in all but two patients. © 1996 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

噬血细胞性淋巴组织细胞增生症47例

目的探讨噬血细胞性淋巴组织细胞增生症(HLH)的临床特点及预后,初步评价早期化疗疗效。方法除诊断所需检测项目外,患儿均常规行细胞及体液免疫功能检测、头部CT或MRI检测,并定期监测上述指标以评估疗效。患者化疗前均常规送检脑脊液生化及常规分类及爱泼斯坦病毒(EBV)、巨细胞病毒(CMV)、单纯疱疹病毒(HSV)、柯萨奇病毒(Cox-V)、埃可病毒(ECHOV)抗体检测。结果1.HLH48例患儿接受化疗,1例死亡,余47例均临床有效,8例因治疗过程中再次出现活动性病变放弃治疗,1例于化疗1.5年后病情再次恶化。25例进入停药观察期,其中3例复发。3年预期生存率为78%。2.疗效差12例中11例(92%)为EBV相关HLH。3.在所有监测指标中脾脏大小变化及铁蛋白可早期反映疾病转归,MRI对脑实质受累的检出率明显高于CT,二者具有非常显著差异(P=0.006)。结论1.化疗过程中应定期监测脾脏大小及血清铁蛋白。2.HLH患者确诊后应常规行头颅MRI检查,并在治疗不同阶段予以监测。3.EBV感染是预后不良因素之一,前期化疗疗效不满意的EBV-HLH应尽早接受干细胞移植。4.适时化疗可明显改善HLH患儿预后。     

Ehrlichia-induced hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis in two children

Two children presented with a history of fever and rash. Lab values revealed pancytopenia, elevated ferritin, coagulopathy, and elevated triglycerides. Both children quickly developed respiratory distress and hypotension requiring admission to the ICU. Bone marrow biopsies revealed hemophagocytosis. Studies for Ehrlichia returned positive. The patients were started on doxycycline and treated for hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH). Each made a full recovery. In both patients, testing for MUNC and perforin genes were found to have no mutation. These two cases demonstrate the importance of considering Ehrlichiosis as a possible trigger of HLH.     

感染相关噬血细胞淋巴组织增生症研究进展

噬血细胞淋巴组织增生症(HLH)是儿童期常见的免疫性疾病之一。细菌、EB病毒、原虫、真菌、衣原体等感染是HLH的常见病因。目前认为感染相关HLH的发病机制是由于NK细胞和细胞毒T细胞(CTL)介导的穿孔素依赖的细胞毒作用缺陷所导致的多系统炎症反应,感染激活巨噬细胞、树突状细胞、NK细胞和CTL,导致细胞因子风暴形成。不同的感染类型可针对其病因控制。研究证实4周内积极应用依托泊苷在内的化疗方案能够改善预后,化疗诱导阶段适当短期应用环孢素A有利于粒细胞减少症恢复。预后不良的因素包括高血清铁蛋白和乳酸脱氢酶、IL-2R和IFN-γ升高,EB病毒感染引起的HLH、年龄过小或年龄>30岁可能增加病死率。     

Allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation is associated with cure and durable remission of late‐onset primary isolated central nervous system hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis

Primary isolated CNS presentation of HLH is exceedingly rare and typically associated with significant morbidity and mortality. We describe an adolescent patient with late‐onset, primary isolated CNS HLH and a compound heterozygous PRF1 mutation (c50delT (p.L17 fs); c.1229G>C (p.R410P)), not previously reported with this phenotype. He was successfully treated with allogeneic HSCT following a reduced‐intensity conditioning regimen, despite a high pre‐HSCT comorbidity index. Two years after transplant, he is alive and in disease remission. While patients with systemic HLH and active CNS disease have relatively poorer outcomes, a high index of suspicion may aid with early diagnosis of primary isolated CNS HLH; prompt treatment with HSCT may be associated with improved cure and durable remission of this rare disease.     

Hemophagocytic syndrome in a 4-month-old infant with biotinidase deficiency

Hemophagocytic syndromes such as hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) are life-threatening hyperinflammatory conditions caused by inherited or acquired immune disorders. Awareness of the clinical symptoms and diagnostic criteria for hemophagocytic syndromes is crucial to start timely life-saving therapy. We present a case of a 4-month-old boy presenting with HLH. However, the patient was subsequently diagnosed with biotinidase deficiency and was successfully treated with biotin-replacement therapy, upon which the hemophagocytic syndrome ceased. Subsequent laboratory evaluations revealed normal lymphocyte cytotoxicity and no mutations in genes associated with familial HLH were found. Biotinidase deficiency should be considered as a differential diagnosis of patients fulfilling HLH criteria.     

采用噬血细胞综合征-04方案治疗噬血细胞综合征5例

目的观察噬血细胞综合征(HLH)-04方案治疗儿童HLH 5例的早期疗效。方法回顾性分析确诊为HLH患儿5例的临床特点,总结其对以鬼臼乙叉甙(VP16)为基础的免疫化学方案治疗的反应及转归。结果HLH患儿5例中4例在早期治疗阶段完全缓解(CR),CR时间17~22 d(平均18.8 d);另1例规则采用VP16治疗84 d未CR,改用鬼臼甲叉甙(VM26)于d130 CR;病例均存活9~11个月,目前仍CR。1例治疗14 d时出现手足震颤,怀疑为环孢素(CSA)不良反应,改用骁悉替代后手足震颤消失。结论儿童HLH可通过采用HLH-04方案的免疫化学治疗,早期得以有效控制。