title: Successful treatment of non-familial haemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis with interferon and gammaglobulin.
abstract: Two cases of non-familial haemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) are presented in which treatment with interferon alfa and gammaglobulin was associated with complete clinical remission. In one case, serological evidence of recent Epstein-Barr virus infection was found. Natural killer cell activity was within normal limits in both children, compatible with a secondary form of HLH. The combination of interferon alfa and intravenous gammaglobulin requires further evaluation in the treatment of non-familial HLH.
authors.affiliation: Department of Child Health, Sir James Spence Institute of Child Health, Royal Victoria Infirmary, Newcastle upon Tyne.
authors.forename: E J
authors.initials: EJ
authors.lastname: Estlin
authors.forename: R D
authors.initials: RD
authors.lastname: Palmer
authors.forename: K P
authors.initials: KP
authors.lastname: Windebank
authors.forename: M F
authors.initials: MF
authors.lastname: Lowry
authors.forename: A D
authors.initials: AD
authors.lastname: Pearson
mesh_terms: D003602:Cytotoxicity, Immunologic; D004200:Diseases in Twins; D005260:Female; D006566:Herpesviridae Infections / Q000150:complications; D004854:Herpesvirus 4, Human; D015616:Histiocytosis, Non-Langerhans-Cell / Q000276:immunology / Q000628:therapy* / Q000821:virology; D006801:Humans; D007116:Immunization, Passive; D007223:Infant; D016898:Interferon-alpha / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D007694:Killer Cells, Natural / Q000276:immunology; D014412:Tumor Virus Infections / Q000150:complications
chemical_list: D016898:Interferon-alpha