Hemophagocytic Syndrome is a clinical condition characterized by the activation of either macrophages or histiocytes with a prominent hemophagocytosis feature in the bone marrow and other reticuloendothelial systems. It leads to the phagocytosis of erythrocytes, leukocytes, platelets and their precursors. The presence of hemophagocytosis can be associated to infections, malignancies, autoimmune diseases, drugs and a variety of other medical conditions. We report a case of a previously healthy 36 year-old woman that developed hemophagocytosis at the same time that fulfilled diagnostic criteria for systemic lupus erythematosus. Lupus related hemophagocytic syndrome is a rare and potentially fatal entity. It offers significant differential diagnosis challenges and requires urgent therapeutic intervention. There are only few cases reported in the literature. However, much is still needed in order to better understand its causes, all the immunopathogenic mechanisms, as well as its clinical and therapeutic aspects.
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Hemofagocitosis asociada con el lupus: caso clínico
Acute lupus hemophagocytic syndrome: report of a case
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La hemofagocitosis es un cuadro clínico caracterizado por la activación de los macrófagos y histiocitos, con intensa actividad fagocítica en la médula ósea e otras localizaciones del sistema reticuloendotelial, lo que provoca la fagocitosis de los eritrocitos, leucocitos, plaquetas y sus precursores. Su presencia puede estar asociada con infecciones, neoplasias, enfermedades autoinmunitarias, drogas y una variedad de otras condiciones médicas. En este caso clínico, presentamos a una mujer de 36 años, previamente sana, que desarrolló hemofagocitosis, al mismo tiempo que completó los criterios de diagnóstico de lupus eritematoso sistémico. La hemofagocitosis asociada con el lupus es una entidad rara, potencialmente mortal, de diagnóstico diferencial complicado y, que requiere una intervención terapéutica urgente. Hay muy pocos casos comunicados en la literatura, y es necesaria una mejor comprensión de los aspectos clínicos, causas, fisiopatología, criterios de diagnóstico y tratamiento de este síndrome.
Palabras clave:
Hemofagocitosis
Palabras clave:
Lupus eritematoso sistémico
Keywords:
Hemophagocytic síndrome
Keywords:
Systemic lupus erythematosus
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