Virus-associated hemophagocytic syndrome due to measles accompanied by acute respiratory failure

An 18-year-old male who was admitted to hospital due to fever, skin rashes, cough, and malaise showed laboratory examination findings of leukopenia, thrombocytopenia, mild liver dysfunction, and hypoxia. Bone marrow aspiration revealed 2% histiocytes with hemophagocytosis. Chest X-ray showed bilateral diffuse interstitial pneumonia. The titer of anti-measles virus antibody was < 1:4, and that at convalescence stage was 1:64. He was diagnosed as having hemophagocytic syndrome and acute respiratory failure due to measles, and was treated with methylprednisolone pulse therapy. He promptly recovered from thrombocytopenia and acute respiratory distress. Steroid pulse therapy may be effective in these conditions due to measles.