Journal of Nobel Medical College Teaching Hospital


Vol. 12 No. 2

Scrub Typhus Associated Secondary Hemophagocytic Lymphohistiocytosis in Pediatric Intensive Care Unit

Sandip Kumar Singh Department of Pediatrics and Neonatology
Nobel Medical College and Teaching Hospital, Biratnagar, Nepal
Shishir Jha Department of Pediatrics
Nobel Medical College & Teaching Hospital, Biratnagar, Nepal
Rajnish Mishra Department of Pediatrics
Lifeline Hospital Pvt. Ltd., Damak, Nepal
Sajan Kumar Thakur Department of Pediatrics
Lifeline Hospital Pvt. Ltd., Damak, Nepal
Suja Gurung Intensive care Unit
Dirghayu Guru Hospital and Research Center Pvt. Ltd. Kathmandu, Nepal
Aliza Bajracharya Department of Medicine
Alka Hospital, Kathmandu, Nepal
Tags : Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis, Prognosis, Scrub Typhus

Abstract

Background: Scrub Typhus is febrile illness caused by orientia tsutsugamusi and presents with multiorgan involvement. It can cause multiorgan failure resulting in acute respiratory distress syndrome, acute kidney Injury and hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis. Secondary hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis is rare but life threatening clinical condition caused by uncontrolled activation of inflammatory cytokines and accumulation of activated macrophages and lymphocytes. Materials and Methods: This study is a prospective observational study conducted on children with Scrub Typhus being admitted to Pediatric Intensive care Unit of Nobel Medical College during 12 months period from July 2022 to June 2023. Basic demographic features, clinical presentation, severity and outcome were analyzed. Categorical variables were reported as frequencies, and continuous as mean ± SD. Independent sample t-test and chi square test was used for comparison of means and categorical variables. Results: A total of 32 children with scrub typhus were included. Common age group was >10 years. Fever, hepatosplenomegaly, rash and respiratory distress were common clinical features. Among 32 cases, 7 (21.87%) had Encephalitis, 10 (31.25%) developed acute respiratory distress syndrome, 13 (40.62%) had Shock, and 9 (28.12%) developed secondary hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis. Among 9 children with scrub typhus associated secondary hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis, all of them had Hyperferritenemia, Hypofibrinogenemia, and Hypertriglyceridemia. Hemophagocytosis was identified in (55.55%) in bone marrow biopsies. 1 patient succumbed to multiorgan failure. Conclusion: Secondary hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis should be considered in children with Scrub typhus requiring Intensive care support. Early recognition and prompt treatment can result in good outcome in children with Scrub typhus associated secondary hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis.
Published
2024-01-17
Section
Original Articles