Successful Treatment of Scrub Typhus-Associated Hemophagocytic Lymphohistiocytosis With Chloramphenicol: Report of 3 Pediatric Cases and Literature Review

Medicine (Baltimore). 2016 Feb;95(8):e2928. doi: 10.1097/MD.0000000000002928.

Abstract

Scrub typhus is caused by Orientia tsutsugamushi. Any delay in diagnosis can result in delayed treatment and severe complications, including secondary hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis, which is rare but potentially fatal.In this paper, the authors present 3 cases of secondary hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis associated with scrub typhus, successfully treated with chloramphenicol without additional antineoplastic therapy. All patients cured and achieved complete resolution.This report highlights the effectiveness of chloramphenicol without the need for chemotherapy in the treatment of scrub typhus-associated hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis in a pediatric population under the age of 8 years.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • China
  • Chloramphenicol / therapeutic use*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Lymphohistiocytosis, Hemophagocytic / drug therapy*
  • Lymphohistiocytosis, Hemophagocytic / etiology*
  • Male
  • Scrub Typhus / complications*
  • Scrub Typhus / drug therapy*

Substances

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents
  • Chloramphenicol