Recurrent macrophage activation syndrome since toddler age in an adolescent boy with HLA B27 positive juvenile ankylosing spondylitis.
Recurrent macrophage activation syndrome (MAS) is very rare. We present the case of an adolescent boy with human leukocyte antigen (HLA) B27-positive ankylosing spondylitis (AS), who experienced episodes of recurrent MAS since he was a toddler. A 16-year-old boy was admitted because of remittent fever with pancytopenia and splenomegaly after surgical intervention for an intractable perianal abscess. He had been diagnosed with hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) 4 different times, which was well controlled with intravenous immunoglobulin and steroids since the age of 3. We were unable to identify the cause for the HLH. He remained symptom-free until the development of back pain and right ankle joint pain with swelling at 15 years of age. He was diagnosed with HLA B27-positive AS with bilateral active sacroiliitis. He showed symptom aggravation despite taking naproxen and methotrexate, and the symptoms improved with etanercept. On admission, his laboratory data showed leukopenia with high ferritin and triglyceride levels. Bone marrow biopsy examination showed histiocytic hyperplasia with hemophagocytosis. There was no evidence of infection. He received naproxen alone, and his symptoms and laboratory data improved without any other immunomodulatory medications. Genetic study revealed no primary HLH or inflammasome abnormalities. In this case, underlying autoimmune disease should have been considered as the cause of recurrent MAS in the young patient once primary HLH was excluded.
Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Korea.
Joon Hyeong
JH
Park
Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Korea.
Yu Mi
YM
Seo
Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Korea.; Vaccine Bio Research Institute, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Korea.
Seung Beom
SB
Han
Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Korea.
Ki Hwan
KH
Kim
Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Korea.
Jung Woo
JW
Rhim
Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Korea.
Nack Gyun
NG
Chung
Department of Laboratory Medicine, Catholic Genetic Laboratory Center, Seoul St. Mary's Hospital, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Korea.
Myung Shin
MS
Kim
Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Korea.; Vaccine Bio Research Institute, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Korea.
Jin Han
JH
Kang
Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Korea.; Vaccine Bio Research Institute, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Korea.
Dae Chul
DC
Jeong
Ankylosing spondylitis; HLA-B27; Macrophage activation syndrome