Hemophagocytic Syndrome as Uncommon Cause of Severe Pancytopenia After Liver Transplantation

• DOI: 10.1016/j.transproceed.2020.02.060
• Publication Date: 2020-03-21T05:52:25Z
• Authors: Esteban Fuentes V...; Ana Campano García; Félix García-Pajares; Javier Tejedor Te...; Rodrigo Nájera Muñoz; Carlos Maroto Martín; Laura Sánchez Del...; Carmen Alonso Martín; Carolina Almohall...; Elena Fernández-F...; Gloria Sánchez-An...
• Keywords: Epstein-Barr Virus Infections; Herpesvirus 4, Human; Pancytopenia; Middle Aged; Lymphohistiocytosis, Hemophagocytic; Liver Transplantation; 3. Good health; 03 medical and health sciences; Fatal Outcome; Postoperative Complications; 0302 clinical medicine; Humans; Female

A rare but life-threatening cause of pancytopenia after liver transplantation is hemophagocytic syndrome. We present a 48-year-old woman who underwent liver transplantation and developed a hemophagocytic syndrome secondary to Epstein-Barr virus with a fatal course, despite initial treatment with immunosuppressants. The diagnosis was made based on the bone marrow aspiration, in which macrophages with phagocytic activity were observed, and clinical findings. Due to the very poor outcomes and high mortality, in patients with severe pancytopenia hemophagocytic syndrome should be excluded, and a bone marrow aspiration should be considered.