Case report: Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis caused by disseminated histoplasmosis in a Venezuelan patient with HIV and Epstein–Barr virus reactivation who traveled to Japan

Abstract

We describe a Venezuelan visitor to Japan who was diagnosed with hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH). The patient was also diagnosed with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and Epstein–Barr virus infection by the Western blot and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests, respectively. The cause of HLH was considered to be these two infections at first; however, the patient did not recover with antiretroviral/anti-herpes virus therapy. Thereafter, diagnosis of disseminated histoplasmosis was confirmed with an antigen detection test, culture, and PCR test of blood, urine, and bone marrow, and the patient improved gradually after the initiation of liposomal amphotericin B. This case highlights the importance of ruling out endemic mycosis as a cause of HLH even if other probable causes exist in patients from endemic areas.