Dengue fever complicated by hemophagocytosis.
Dengue is a common acute viral febrile illness in the tropics. Although the usual presentation is that of a self-limiting illness, its complications are protean. We report a 29-year-old man who presented with an acute febrile illness and was diagnosed with dengue hemorrhagic fever. Despite appropriate supportive therapy, the patient initially improved, but subsequently had clinical deterioration. Evaluation revealed features of hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis. He was successfully treated with glucocorticoids and had an uneventful recovery. This case adds to the limited adult cases of virus-associated hemophagocytic syndrome in the literature and the need for prompt recognition and treatment of this rare complication.
Department of Medicine, Unit 4 , Christian Medical College and Hospital , Vellore, Tamil Nadu , India.
Maria
M
Koshy
Department of Medicine, Unit 4 , Christian Medical College and Hospital , Vellore, Tamil Nadu , India.
Ajay Kumar
AK
Mishra
Department of Pathology , Christian Medical College and Hospital , Vellore, Tamil Nadu , India.
Bhumi
B
Agrawal
Department of Medicine, Unit 4 , Christian Medical College and Hospital , Vellore, Tamil Nadu , India.
Akhil Rajendra
AR
Kurup
Department of Medicine, Unit 4 , Christian Medical College and Hospital , Vellore, Tamil Nadu , India.
Samuel George
SG
Hansdak