title: Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis masquerading as progressive chronic lymphocytic leukemia.
abstract: Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) is a potentially fatal syndrome characterized by a non-malignant expansion of the macrophage population in the setting of a heightened cytokine response with subsequent widespread hemophagocytosis. It can occur as either genetic or acquired forms; the latter of which frequently occurs in the setting of infection, autoimmune disease, or malignancy. We present the second known case of HLH associated Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL) in the absence of infectious etiology and review the current literature.
authors.affiliation: Division of Hematology/Oncology, University of Rochester, Wilmot Cancer Center, Rochester, NY, USA.
authors.forename: Deepak
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Kilari
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY, USA.
authors.forename: Nicholas
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Venci
authors.affiliation: Division of Hematology/Oncology, University of Rochester, Wilmot Cancer Center, Rochester, NY, USA.
authors.forename: Jonathan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Friedberg
authors.affiliation: Division of Hematology/Oncology, University of Rochester, Wilmot Cancer Center, Rochester, NY, USA ; Division of Hematopathology, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY, USA.
authors.forename: John M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Bennett
keywords: CLL; Fevers; HLH; Pancytopenia and hematologic malignancies