hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis-a rare complication of hepatitis a virus infection

introduction hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (hlh) is a heterogeneous group of clinical syndromes characterized by activation and subsequent uncontrolled non-malignant proliferation of t-lymphocytes, histiocytes and macrophages leading to a cytokine storm and manifesting as prolonged fever, organomegaly, cytopenia, hyperferritinemia and demonstrable hemophagocytosis in the bone marrow. conclusions hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis is broadly classified as two types, either familial or acquired. the acquired variety may be secondary to any type of infection, mostly viral. hepatitis a virus is rarely reported to give rise to hlh in the pediatric population. less intensive immunosuppressive therapy with steroids was successful in maintaining remission. case presentation here we present a case of infection associated hlh in a five-year-old girl as a complication of hepatitis a virus infection. the girl developed acute fulminant hepatic failure with multisystem involvement and was treated with a short course of steroid.