Association of soluble interleukin-2 receptor alpha with laboratory parameters and clinical findings of hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis patients: The first report from South of Iran

INTRODUCTION: Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) is caused by overactivation of immune system. Gene mutations, infections, malignant, and autoimmune trigger the development of the disease. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Clinical data and peripheral blood samples of 21 patients suspected of HLH were collected in Shiraz Medical Centers 2017–2018. Peripheral blood samples were analyzed for soluble interleukin-2 receptor alpha (sIL2Rα) marker (sCD25), and the results were compared with 36 normal controls as well as comparison with clinical findings and other laboratory parameters. RESULTS: Twenty-one patients (11 males and 10 females) with an average age of 5.2 were investigated. In this study, peripheral blood samples were taken from 16 newly diagnosed patients before treatment, and five were posttreatment blood samples. The mean sIL2Rα level before treatment in 16 patients was 9023 pg/ml. The mean peripheral blood sample of the 36 controls was 3025 pg/ml. The mean of the five posttreatment samples was 4198 pg/ml. Significant difference between pretreatment and the control group was observed. However, no significant difference was detected between after treatment samples and the control group. By comparing the sIL2Rα levels between patients with increased aspartate aminotransaminase (AST) and patients with normal AST level, there was a significant difference in the amount of IL2Rα level. CONCLUSION: This study highlights the importance of IL2Rα marker in the diagnosis and follow-up, during treatment and suppression. Furthermore, a significant difference with respect to AST level requires further investigation.