Abstract
India is an endemic country for dengue. The incidence of hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) with dengue in children has been well-reported. However, central nervous system (CNS) HLH associated with dengue has not been described in the literature yet. We hereby report a novel case of CNS HLH triggered by dengue infection. An eight-month-old, well-grown male infant with uneventful antenatal, perinatal, and neonatal history was admitted with a history of febrile illness associated with cough, cold, vomiting, and loose motions and one episode of hematochezia and hepatosplenomegaly on examination. Investigations revealed bi-cytopenia, hyper-ferritinemia, deranged coagulation profile, liver function test, and hypo-fibrinogenemia. Dengue non-structural protein 1 ( NS1) antigen was positive. The child was given dexamethasone and continued supportive care with a diagnosis of dengue shock syndrome. The child showed an overall transient improvement, however, he had rebound fever followed by right focal convulsion on Day 9 of steroids. MRI brain revealed areas of diffusion-restricted embolic infarcts with diffuse leptomeningeal enhancement and mild cerebral edema, and CSF showed a total leukocyte count of 80 cells with 75% lymphocytic picture, histiocytes with hemophagocytosis, confirmatory of CNS HLH. Intrathecal methotrexate, hydrocortisone, and intravenous (IV) etoposide were started. However, the child succumbed to his illness. CNS involvement in dengue-triggered HLH needs to be suspected despite subtle neurological signs and aggressively managed following a multi-departmental approach to ensure the best clinical and neuro-developmental outcomes.