Related Experiment Video

Updated: Oct 3, 2025

Investigating the Phagocytosis of Leishmania using Confocal Microscopy
08:41

Investigating the Phagocytosis of Leishmania using Confocal Microscopy

Published on: July 29, 2021

4.0K

Haemophagocytic Lymphohistiocytosis as a Complication of Israeli Spotted Fever

Maria Margarida Andrade1, Ana Gorgulho1, Rita Tinoco Magalhães1

  • 1Internal Medicine Department, Hospital de Cascais Dr. José de Almeida, Alcabideche, Portugal.

European Journal of Case Reports in Internal Medicine
|February 16, 2022
PubMed

Insights

Israeli spotted fever (ISF) can rarely cause haemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH). This case highlights the need for early diagnosis and intervention for this severe complication of rickettsiosis.

Area of Science:

  • Infectious Diseases
  • Hematology
  • Immunology

Background:

  • Rickettsia spp. infections, including Mediterranean spotted fever and Israeli spotted fever (ISF), are endemic in Portugal.
  • Haemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) is a rare but severe condition characterized by excessive immune activation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To describe a rare case of HLH secondary to ISF.
  • To emphasize the atypical clinical manifestations of ISF-induced HLH.
  • To highlight the importance of early clinical suspicion and intervention.

Main Methods:

  • Case report detailing clinical presentation, diagnostic workup, and management.
  • Review of literature on rickettsiosis and HLH.

Main Results:

  • A patient presented with atypical manifestations of ISF leading to HLH.
  • The case underscores the potential for severe, multisystemic complications from rickettsial infections.

Conclusions:

  • HLH is a rare but critical complication of rickettsiosis.
  • Suspicion for HLH should be raised in cases of rickettsiosis with exuberant inflammatory responses and multisystemic dysfunction.
  • Prompt diagnosis and supportive care are crucial for managing ISF-induced HLH, especially with severe cutaneous and neurological involvement.
Keywords:
Rickettsiosishaemophagocyticpolyneuropathypurpura fulminansspotted fever

More Related Videos

In Vivo Imaging of Leishmania infantum-infected Hamsters by Gingival Inoculation of Axenic Amastigotes Expressing Luciferase05:55

In Vivo Imaging of Leishmania infantum-infected Hamsters by Gingival Inoculation of Axenic Amastigotes Expressing Luciferase

Published on: April 4, 2025

411
From a 2DE-Gel Spot to Protein Function: Lesson Learned From HS1 in Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia10:18

From a 2DE-Gel Spot to Protein Function: Lesson Learned From HS1 in Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia

Published on: October 19, 2014

13.8K

Related Concept Videos

Endocarditis II: Clinical Features of Infective Endocarditis01:25

Endocarditis II: Clinical Features of Infective Endocarditis

Endocarditis can present various clinical features depending on the causative organism and the patient's underlying health conditions. Initially, the clinical features of infective endocarditis develop gradually, presenting with nonspecific symptoms that can be easily mistaken for other illnesses.General SymptomsEarly symptoms of infective endocarditis are fever, chills, weakness, malaise, fatigue, and weight loss. These symptoms reflect the systemic nature of the infection and the body's...
35
Immunodeficiency Diseases01:25

Immunodeficiency Diseases

Immunodeficiency disorders are conditions in which the immune system's ability to fight infectious disease and cancer is compromised or entirely absent. The immune system comprises a complex network of cells, tissues, and organs that work together to protect the body from potentially harmful invaders. When this system is deficient or not functioning properly, it leaves the body susceptible to infections, diseases, or other complications.
There are three main causes of immunodeficiency...
1.2K