Hemophagocytic Lymphohistiocytosis Due to Acute Myeloid Leukemia Relapse: A Very Unusual Association

Abstract

Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) diagnosed in the course of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is generally triggered by treatment-induced infections. AML-induced HLH is a very rare situation for which no diagnostic or therapeutic guidelines are available. We report the occurrence of HLH in an AML5 post-transplant relapse. In our case, the absence of detectable pathogen and the parallel evolution between HLH and leukemia burden suggested a direct link between AML and HLH. We suggest that the diagnostic of AML-related HLH should be promptly considered in front of unexplained fever, cytopenia, liver dysfunction or neurological symptoms as therapeutic intervention is urgent in this life-threatening situation.