title: Tuberculosis-associated hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis in an umbilical cord blood transplant recipient.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) is a rare and potentially fatal condition that can be primary or secondary. Secondary HLH due to Mycobacterium tuberculosis (TB) is uncommon. We report a case of tuberculosis-associated HLH in an umbilical cord blood transplant (UCBT) recipient and discuss its clinical characteristics and challenges.
  
  
  METHODS
  Hematologic investigations, bone marrow aspirates, Xpert MTB/RIF test of TB with peripheral blood were performed. Immune modulation with anti-TB therapy was initiated.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Subsequent treatment with anti-TB treatment resulted rapid clinical response and disease remission.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  It is important to consider TB as one of the underlying cause of HLH in high-risk patients, particularly those in immunodeficient states. Early diagnosis and treatment can improve the survival rates of patients with tuberculosis-associated HLH.
authors.affiliation: Department of Hematology, The Third Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China.
authors.forename: Bing
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Long
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, First People's Hospital of Shenzhen, Shenzhen, China.
authors.forename: Lei
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Cheng
authors.affiliation: Department of Hematology, People's Hospital of Futian District, Shenzhen, China.
authors.forename: Shu-Ping
authors.initials: SP
authors.lastname: Lai
authors.affiliation: Department of Hematology, The Third Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China.
authors.forename: Jing-Wen
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.affiliation: Department of Hematology, The Third Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China.
authors.forename: Yan-Ling
authors.initials: YL
authors.lastname: Sun
authors.affiliation: Department of Hematology, The Third Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China.
authors.forename: Wen-Xin
authors.initials: WX
authors.lastname: Lai
authors.affiliation: Department of Hematology, The Third Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China.
authors.forename: Hai-Yan
authors.initials: HY
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.affiliation: Department of Hematology, The Third Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China.
authors.forename: Ying
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Lu
authors.affiliation: Department of Hematology, The Third Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China.
authors.forename: Dong-Jun
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Lin
authors.affiliation: Department of Hematology, The Third Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China. Electronic address: 13631359815@139.com.
authors.forename: Xu-Dong
authors.initials: XD
authors.lastname: Li
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D005312:Fetal Blood / Q000637:transplantation*; D006801:Humans; D051359:Lymphohistiocytosis, Hemophagocytic / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy; D009169:Mycobacterium tuberculosis / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D066027:Transplant Recipients; D014376:Tuberculosis / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy
keywords: Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis; Tuberculosis; Umbilical cord blood transplant