Pediatric inflammatory multisystem syndrome in a patient with Hodgkin lymphoma: A case report

Background

The inflammatory state of Hodgkin lymphoma can generate increases in inflammatory markers that can sometimes be attributed to an infection in these immunosuppressed patients. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the diagnosis and treatment of patients with hematological malignancies was complicated by the presence of SARS-CoV2. It could range from an asymptomatic presentation to a multisystem inflammatory syndrome known as the Pediatric inflammatory multisystem syndrome (PIMS).

Case report

We present the case of a girl who, during the COVID-19 pandemic, was treated at our institution for lymphadenopathy and persistent fever. The febrile syndrome was attributed to intercurrent infection; however, despite antimicrobial coverage, fever persisted, and inflammatory markers increased. Although SARS-CoV2 was not detected in the samples, PIMS was clinically suspected. Treatment with human immunoglobulin and acetylsalicylic acid was administered. An improvement in the inflammatory parameters was observed, which allowed ruling out an opportunistic infection and initiating chemotherapy.

Conclusion

A patient diagnosed with lymphoma and presenting with PIMS could have a synergic interaction of both conditions, resulting in an adverse outcome.