Haemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis driven by disseminated Mycobacterium haemophilum infection.

Abstract

Mycobacterium haemophilum is a nontuberculous mycobacteria that primarily affects immunocompromised patients. It can lead to a wide variety of clinical manifestations including infections of the skin, soft tissue and joints. Due to the significant heterogeneity in clinical presentation and difficulty isolating the organism, diagnosis can be difficult and is often delayed. Our patient's course was further complicated by the development of haemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH). Although M. tuberculosis infection is recognized as a potential association, HLH driven by a disseminated M. haemophilum infection has not yet been reported. Here we present a case of disseminated M. haemophilum infection in an immunocompromised patient who developed haemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis.