Reactive haemophagocytic syndrome in a systemic lupus erythematosus patient: case report

Rev Bras Reumatol. 2012 Oct;52(5):790-5.
[Article in English, Portuguese]

Abstract

The macrophagic syndrome or reactive haemophagocytic syndrome (RHS) is a complication resulting from systemic inflammatory diseases and may also be related to malign neoplasias, immunodeficiencies and to a variety of infections caused by virus, bacteria, and fungus. It is characterized by an excessive activation of macrophages and histiocytes along with intense hemophagocytosis in bone marrow and reticulum-endothelial system, causing the phagocytosis of erythrocytes, leukocytes, platelets, and their precursors. The clinical manifestations are fever, hepatosplenomegaly, lymphadenomegalies, neurological involvement, variable degrees of cytopenias, hyperferritinemia, liver disorders, intravascular coagulation, and multiple organs failure. We report a rare case of recurrent RHS complication in a systemic lupus erythematosus male patient after two years. Although extremely rare it has evolved with an improvement after a pulse methilprednisolone and cyclophosphamide therapy.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Humans
  • Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / complications*
  • Lymphohistiocytosis, Hemophagocytic / etiology*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged