Salmonella Paratyphoid Induced Hemophagocytic Lymphohistiocytosis: A Case Report and Literature Review

Kainat Bibi

Department of Internal Medicine, Ayub Teaching Hospital, Abottabad, Pakistan.

Abdul Qadir

Department of Internal Medicine, Hamad Medical Corporation, Qatar, QAT.

Azhar Wahab

South Infirmary Victoria Hospital Cork, IRL, Ireland.

Muhammad Bilal Khan

Department of Internal Medicine, Windsor University School of Medicine St. Kitts Nevis, Ireland.

Haris Pasha

Department of Medicine, Shifa International Hospital Islamabad, Pakistan.

Adnan Ali

Department of Medicine, Indus Hospital and Health Network, Quetta, Pakistan.

Waqar Ali Shah

Department of General Medicine, Saidu Teaching Hospital Swat, Pakistan.

Hajra Ali

Department of General Medicine, Shahmansoor International Hospital Swabi, Pakistan.

Jibran Ikram

Department of Medicine, Rehman Medical Institution, Peshawar, Pakistan.

Qazi Muhammad Farooq Wahab

Department of Medicine, Khyber Teaching hospital Peshawar, Pakistan.

Abdul Latif

Department of Medicine, Hayatabad Medical Complex Peshawar, Pakistan.

Gulana

Woman Medical College, Abbottabad, Pakistan.

Aisha Maqbool

Department of Medicine, Pakistan International Hospital Islamabad, Pakistan.

Furqan Ul Haq *

Department of Radiation Oncology, Shaukat Khanum Hospital Peshawar. Pakistan.

*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.


Abstract

Background: Haemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) is a rare and life-threatening syndrome characterized by an excessive inflammatory response. Limited data exist on adult HLH.

Introduction: Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) is a condition in which immune hyperactivation and deregulation causes hemophagocytosis and organ disorder due to activated histiocytes and macrophages. Symptoms include fever, splenomegaly, abdominal distension and hepatomegaly.

Case Report: We report the case of a forty year old man who presented to our Hospital with fever and loose stools and upon investigation had a pancytopenia with hypertriglyceridemia, hepatosplenomegaly, these clinical and laboratory findings raised suspicion of HLH secondary to typhoid fever. The patient was treated with immunosuppression (dexamethasone) and antibiotics and showed remarkable recovery. Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis should be suspected in patients with tropical infections like enteric fever, tuberculosis, malaria, dengue, etc. that worsen despite appropriate treatment, as late diagnosis is associated with greater mortality.

In this national, retrospective cohort study, we analysed data from the Pub Med database collected between October 1, 2006 and December 31, 2023 in making of this literature review.

Results and Conclusion: Typhoid fever caused by the bacterium salmonella typhi and paratyphi is a serious febrile illness and is more common in the developing countries As a first line intervention, treating the etiology of HLH would be an efficient way to restrict the disease's progression. We report a rare and unique case of secondary HLH due to typhoid fever, this complication is often missed and a prompt diagnosis is essential for the treatment of this fatal disease. It can be primary (familial) or secondary (acquired). Clinically diagnoses can be difficult because of similarities in signs and symptoms with other illnesses as it generally presents with fever, loose stools, and decreased appetite and on Investigation one can expect pan or bi cytopenias, hepatosplenomegaly, hypertriglyceridemia, hypofibrinogenemia. Timely diagnosis of HLH makes it very treatable in majority of cases.

Keywords: Typhoid fever, HLH, hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis, secondary HLH, salmonella typhi


How to Cite

Bibi, Kainat, Abdul Qadir, Azhar Wahab, Muhammad Bilal Khan, Haris Pasha, Adnan Ali, Waqar Ali Shah, Hajra Ali, Jibran Ikram, Qazi Muhammad Farooq Wahab, Abdul Latif, Gulana, Aisha Maqbool, and Furqan Ul Haq. 2024. “Salmonella Paratyphoid Induced Hemophagocytic Lymphohistiocytosis: A Case Report and Literature Review”. Asian Hematology Research Journal 7 (4):170-79. https://journalahrj.com/index.php/AHRJ/article/view/181.