Clinical Characteristics of Hemophagocytic Lymphohistiocytosis Related to Kawasaki Disease

Introduction: Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis(HLH) is a systemic inflammatory disorder characterized by uncontrolled histiocytic proliferation, hemophagocytosis and up-regulation of inflammatory cytokines. Thus, both HLH and Kawasaki disease(KD) are characterized by prolonged fever, and are diagnosed by a clinical and laboratory scoring system, concurrent manifestation of HLH and KD has been described in the literature. We describe two cases of children who diagnosed as KD initially, but after intravenous gamma globulin(IVIG) failed to produce clinical response, were found to have HLH. Case report: A 3-year-old boy who had previous KD history 5 months ago was admitted for 9day fever and skin rash. His symptoms were fulfilled KD criteria, and echocardiography showed dilated right coronary artery of 4.2mm. He was treated with 2 cycles of IVIG until fever subsided. However, 2 days later, he got fever again and cytopenia(Hb<9.0), hypertriglyceridemia, high level of ferritin was shown and had splenomegaly on physical examination. In the suspicion of HLH, bone marrow biopsy was done and revealed hemophagocytosis, consistent with HLH. A second case of 11-month-old boy admitted for 8-day fever with Kawasaki feature. Although, he showed incomplete feature(fever, skin rash, conjunctival injection, cervical lymphadenopathy), echocardiography showed dilated left main coronary artery(3.5mm) and treated with IVIG. However, 2days after IVIG administration, he was still pyrexial. The laboratory findings fulfilled 5 diagnostic criteria of HLH; bicytopenia(anemia, thrombocytopenia), hypofibrinogenemia, hyperferritinemia, hemophagocytosis in bone marrow, raised level of soluble IL-2 receptor. In both cases, the patients treated according to the HLH protocol 2004, and after that clinical symptoms and laboratory findings were improved. Several causes of febrile illness, EBV, CMV, rubella, parvo-viral infection, for example, were excluded. Comment: There is considerable overlap between the clinical syndromes of KD and HLH and early recognition and treatment of these two disease entity is imperative to avoid fatal outcomes in severe cases. Thus, these should both be considered and excluded in any child with unremitting fever and rash.

Download Full-text

Clinical characteristics of 10 children with a pediatric inflammatory multisystem syndrome associated with COVID-19 in Iran

BMC Pediatrics ◽

10.1186/s12887-020-02415-z ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 20 (1) ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Leila Shahbaznejad ◽

Mohammad Reza Navaeifar ◽

Ali Abbaskhanian ◽

Fatemeh Hosseinzadeh ◽

Golnar Rahimzadeh ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Kawasaki Disease ◽

Clinical Characteristics ◽

Multiorgan Failure ◽

Gastrointestinal Symptoms ◽

Coronary Aneurysm ◽

Tertiary Hospital ◽

Mazandaran Province ◽

Northern Iran ◽

Therapeutic Modalities ◽

Protein Levels

Abstract Background Although symptoms and signs of COVID-19 (Coronavirus disease 2019) in children are milder than adults, there are reports of more severe cases which were defined as pediatric inflammatory multisystem syndrome (PIMS). The purpose of this report was to describe the possible association between COVID-19 and PIMS in children. Methods From 28 March to 24 June 2020, 10 febrile children were admitted with COVID-19 infection showing characteristics of PIMS in Buali tertiary hospital of Sari, in Mazandaran province, northern Iran. Demographic and clinical characteristics, laboratory and imaging findings, and therapeutic modalities were recorded and analyzed. Results The mean age of the patients was 5.37 ± 3.9 years (13 months to 12 years). Six of them were boys. Kawasaki disease, myocarditis, toxic shock syndrome, appendicitis, sepsis, urosepsis, prolonged febrile seizure, acute hemorrhagic edema of infancy, and COVID-19-related pneumonia were their first presentation. All of them had increased C-reactive protein levels, and most of them had elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rate, lymphopenia, anemia, and hypoalbuminemia. Three of them had thrombocytopenia(PLT < 106). Six of them were serologically or polymerase chain reaction positive for COVID-19, and 4 of them were diagnosed as COVID-19 just by chest computed tomography scan. Most of the patients improved without a residual sequel, except one who died with multiorgan failure and another case was discharged with a giant coronary aneurysm. Conclusions Children with COVID-19 may present symptoms similar to Kawasaki disease and inflammatory syndromes. PIMS should be considered in children with fever, rash, seizure, cough, tachypnea, and gastrointestinal symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain.

Download Full-text