Fever of unknown origin in a patient of systemic onset juvenile idiopathic arthritis.

Abstract

Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis is a potentially fatal condition characterized by pathologic immune activation, which can complicate infections, childhood systemic rheumatologic diseases and malignancies. Here we report a case of reactive hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis [macrophage activation syndrome] complicating systemic onset juvenile idiopathic arthritis, which was treated successfully with dexamethasone and cyclosporine. Reactive hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis or macrophage activation syndrome should be considered in patients of juvenile idiopathic arthritis with prolonged fever of unknown origin and cytopenias. Early diagnosis with high index of suspicion and prompt, aggressive treatment are needed for successful outcomes.

• Authors: Vinod Kolar Vishwanath, Aishwarya Krishnamurthy, Arun Karyampudi, Tarun Kumar Dutta
• Journal: Indian journal of medical sciences (Indian J Med Sci) Vol. 64 Issue 7 Pg. 333-6 (Jul 2010) ISSN: 1998-3654 [Electronic] India
• PMID: 22918076 (Publication Type: Case Reports, Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Anti-Inflammatory Agents
• Immunosuppressive Agents
• Dexamethasone
• Cyclosporine
• Methotrexate

Topics

• Adolescent
• Anemia (etiology)
• Anti-Inflammatory Agents (therapeutic use)
• Arthritis, Juvenile (complications)
• Cyclosporine (therapeutic use)
• Dexamethasone (therapeutic use)
• Fever of Unknown Origin (complications)
• Humans
• Immunosuppressive Agents (therapeutic use)
• Lymphohistiocytosis, Hemophagocytic (complications, drug therapy)
• Male
• Methotrexate (therapeutic use)
• Thrombocytopenia (etiology)