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Apparent Dengue Fever Turned Out to be Hemophagocytic Lymphohistiocytosis
Archana Gandhi1, Palak Patel2, Devarsh Shah3
1Associate Professor, Department of Medicine, Medical College, The Maharaja Sayajirao University, Baroda, Gujarat, India, Corresponding Author.
Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) is an extremely uncommon hematologic condition that is potentially fatal. It is a disease of histiocyte or lymphocyte hyperactivity, which can be inherited (primary) or acquired (secondary). Dengue fever and HLH both can present with fever, lethargy, and a blood profile of pancytopenia, which makes it difficult to diagnose HLH promptly in a region with dengue endemicity. Clinical and supportive biochemistry findings help clinicians to suspect and diagnose HLH. This article presents a case report of a patient who was diagnosed with dengue fever during initial presentation with subsequent swerves toward HLH. Diagnosing HLH associated with dengue can be difficult. However, it is of utmost importance to diagnose it early, as an early diagnosis and management can lead to significantly improved outcomes. How to cite this article: Gandhi A, Patel P, Shah D. Apparent Dengue Fever Turned Out to be Hemophagocytic Lymphohistiocytosis. J Assoc Physicians India 2023;71(11):96-99.
Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) is an extremely uncommon hematologic condition that is potentially fatal. It is a disease of histiocyte or lymphocyte hyperactivity, which can be inherited (primary) or acquired (secondary). Dengue fever and HLH both can present with fever, lethargy, and a blood profile of pancytopenia, which makes it difficult to diagnose HLH promptly in a region with dengue endemicity. Clinical and supportive biochemistry findings help clinicians to suspect and diagnose HLH. This article presents a case report of a patient who was diagnosed with dengue fever during initial presentation with subsequent swerves toward HLH. Diagnosing HLH associated with dengue can be difficult. However, it is of utmost importance to diagnose it early, as an early diagnosis and management can lead to significantly improved outcomes. How to cite this article: Gandhi A, Patel P, Shah D. Apparent Dengue Fever Turned Out to be Hemophagocytic Lymphohistiocytosis. J Assoc Physicians India 2023;71(11):96-99.
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