Hemophagocytic Lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) in a Patient with Disseminated Histoplasmosis

Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) is a rare condition characterized by an overwhelming inflammatory cascade activation which is often associated with rapid progression and high mortality. It may be familial with an underlying genetic mutation or triggered by infection, malignancy, and autoimmune disease. Disseminated histoplasmosis caused by histoplasma capsulatum is a granulomatous fungal disease seen typically in immunocompromised patients with varied clinical manifestations and requires long-term antifungal therapy. We present the case of a 61-year-old immunocompromised female with significant travel history who came with fever, pancytopenia, and liver failure raising suspicion for HLH that prompted a bone marrow biopsy procedure. Hemophagocytic figures consistent with HLH and numerous encapsulated fungi resembling histoplasma were visualized. She was treated with intravenous (IV) liposomal amphotericin B. Etoposide chemotherapy and interleukin-1 (IL-1) antagonist anakinra were deferred in order to limit her immunosuppression, and treatment was focused on antifungal therapy.