title: [Hemophagocytic syndrome secondary to cavitary pulmonary tuberculosis].
abstract: Hemophagocytic syndrome is due to the activation and nonmalignant proliferation of macrophages and T lymphocytes. The purpose of this report is to describe a 25-year-old man who presented with fever, coughing, and weight loss over the past month. Laboratory findings demonstrated pancytopenia, hyperferritinemia, and cytolysis. The myelogram showed a hemophagocytic syndrome, and tuberculosis bacilli were found in the sputum. Chest radiography and thoracic computed tomography depicted a cavitary lesion suggestive of pulmonary tuberculosis. Treatment of tuberculosis alone, without an immunosuppressant agent, was effective and led to improvement. In a country where tuberculosis is highly endemic, hemophagocytic syndrome should be considered in the differential diagnosis of patients with active tuberculosis complicated by pancytopenia.
authors.forename: J L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Rakotoson
authors.forename: O H
authors.initials: OH
authors.lastname: Rakotonirainy
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Moroyandsa
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Rakotoharivelo
authors.forename: J R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Rakotomizao
authors.forename: A C F
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Andrianarisoa
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D006801:Humans; D051359:Lymphohistiocytosis, Hemophagocytic / Q000209:etiology*; D008297:Male; D014397:Tuberculosis, Pulmonary / Q000150:complications*