A Review of Hemophagocytic Lymphohistiocytosis in Patients With HIV

Abstract

We provide an elaborate review of cases published between January 2005 and April 2021 on hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) in HIV patients. Seventy articles describing 81 adult patients (age≥19 years) were included. The median age was 40 years, and 78% were males. Only 65% were known to have HIV before presentation. CD4 count was≥200 cells/mm3 in 23%, and HIV viral load was<200 copies/mL in 41%. The lack of meticulous reporting of≥5 of 8 criteria for HLH diagnosis was evident in a third of cases. At least 1 infectious agent - other than HIV - was believed to trigger HLH in 78% of patients. The most common were Epstein-Barr virus (26%), human herpesvirus 8 (21%), and Histoplasma capsulatum (17%). Sixty percent survived. Among those, 93% received treatment for identified secondary trigger(s), while 51% received HLH-directed therapy. There was significant heterogeneity in the treatment regimens used for HLH.