Related Experiment Videos
[Benign hemophagocytic syndrome. First confirmed case in Panama]
Revista Medica De Panama
|January 1, 1989
Summary
This case study details the first diagnosis of benign hemophagocytic syndrome in a Panamanian child. Treatment with antibiotics led to remission, with later serology suggesting a possible link to toxoplasmosis.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Infectious Diseases
- Hematology
Background:
- Benign hemophagocytic syndrome (hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis) is a rare, life-threatening condition.
- Early diagnosis and prompt treatment are crucial for patient survival.
- This report documents the initial case identified in Panama.
Observation:
- A 4-year-old girl presented with persistent fever, anemia, lymphadenitis, and hepatomegaly.
- Peripheral blood smear revealed lymphocytosis and histiocytes phagocytosing red blood cells, lymphocytes, neutrophils, and platelets.
- Spontaneous fever remission occurred after 60 days.
Findings:
- The patient received a 15-day course of sulfadiazine and pyrimethamine, followed by 10 days of clindamycin.
- Clinical remission was observed 70 days after fever onset.
- Subsequent serological testing for toxoplasmosis showed a positive indirect fluorescent antibody titer of 1:2048.
Implications:
- This case highlights the importance of considering benign hemophagocytic syndrome in pediatric patients with unexplained fever and cytopenias.
- While definitive etiological confirmation was challenging, treatment was initiated based on clinical suspicion.
- The positive toxoplasmosis serology warrants further investigation into its potential role in this specific case and future pediatric cases in the region.