title: Hemophagocytosis: the cause of anemia and thrombocytopenia in congenital syphilis.
abstract: Congenital syphilis is a rare, serious disease that continues to be a major health-care problem. The infected neonate may be asymptomatic or multiple-organ system involvement may occur. Anemia and thrombocytopenia are common hematological findings. Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) is a clinicopathological condition characterized by activation and uncontrolled nonmalignant proliferation of T lymphocytes and macrophages. The authors report an infant with congenital syphilis as a very rare cause of hemophagocytic syndrome. The reason for anemia and thrombocytopenia in congenital syphilis is not clear. The authors suggest that hemophagocytosis may play role in pathogenesis of cytopenia, particularly thrombocytopenia in patients with congenital syphilis.
authors: Dr. Sami Ulus Children's Hospital, Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Hematology, Ankara, Turkey.
authors: Nese
authors: N
authors: Yarali
authors: Ismail
authors: I
authors: Balaban
authors: Nesibe
authors: N
authors: Akyurek
authors: Sit
authors: S
authors: Ucar
authors: Pelin
authors: P
authors: Zorlu
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000740:Anemia / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D051359:Lymphohistiocytosis, Hemophagocytic / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology*; D008297:Male; D011247:Pregnancy; D013590:Syphilis, Congenital / Q000150:complications* / Q000473:pathology; D013921:Thrombocytopenia / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology*; D055815:Young Adult