[Hemophagocytic syndrome secondary to cavitary pulmonary tuberculosis]

Med Sante Trop. 2012 Jan-Mar;22(1):99-101. doi: 10.1684/mst.2012.0020.
[Article in French]

Abstract

Hemophagocytic syndrome is due to the activation and nonmalignant proliferation of macrophages and T lymphocytes. The purpose of this report is to describe a 25-year-old man who presented with fever, coughing, and weight loss over the past month. Laboratory findings demonstrated pancytopenia, hyperferritinemia, and cytolysis. The myelogram showed a hemophagocytic syndrome, and tuberculosis bacilli were found in the sputum. Chest radiography and thoracic computed tomography depicted a cavitary lesion suggestive of pulmonary tuberculosis. Treatment of tuberculosis alone, without an immunosuppressant agent, was effective and led to improvement. In a country where tuberculosis is highly endemic, hemophagocytic syndrome should be considered in the differential diagnosis of patients with active tuberculosis complicated by pancytopenia.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • English Abstract
  • Letter

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Humans
  • Lymphohistiocytosis, Hemophagocytic / etiology*
  • Male
  • Tuberculosis, Pulmonary / complications*