A Case Report of Malaria-associated Secondary Hemophagocytic Lymphohistiocytosis and a Review of the Literature

Abstract

Background: Malaria-associated secondary hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) is rare. Moreover, the literature on malaria-associated HLH is sparse, and there are no similar cases reported in China.Case presentation: We report a case of a 29-year-old young woman with unexplained intermittent fever who was admitted to our hospital due to an unclear diagnosis. The patient concealed her history of travel to Nigeria and Dubai before onset. We made a diagnosis of malaria-associated secondary HLH. The treatment strategy for the patient included treatment of the inciting factor (artemether for 9 days followed by artemisinin for 5 days), the use of immunosuppressants (steroids, intravenous immunoglobulin) and supportive care. The patient was discharged in normal physical condition after 25 days of intensive care. No relapses were documented on follow-up at six months and 1 year. Conclusion: Early diagnosis of the primary disease along with timely intervention and a multidisciplinary approach can help patients achieve a satisfactory outcome.