Hemophagocytic Lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) complicating the double trouble of Malaria and Kala-azar - a rare presentation

Abstract

Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) is a rare hyper-inflammatory syndrome which is characterized by inappropriate proliferation of lympho-histiocytes which phagocytize hematopoietic cells and thereby give rise to the clinical picture of fever, hepatosplenomegaly and cytopenias. HLH can be primary or secondary due to infections by bacteria, viruses, parasites and fungi. Here we present a case report of simultaneous infection of Plasmodium vivax and visceral leishmaniasis complicated by secondary HLH in a Border Security Force jawan (BSF soldier).