HEMOPHAGOCYTIC HISTIOCYTOSIS (HH) IN RENAL-TRANSPLANT RECIPIENTS UNDER CYCLOSPORINE THERAPY - REPORT OF THE FIRST 2 CASES

Hematophagocytic histiocytosis is a clinicopathologic syndrome associa ting fever, liver dysfunction, blood cytopenia and coagulation abnorma lities with hematophagocytosis in bone marrow and lymphoid organs. Thi s syndrome is found in immunocompromized patients and is triggered by infection. We describe herein the first 2 cases of HH in renal transpl ant recipients treated with ciclosporin. In our 1st case, H.H. was not recognized early and the patient died. In the 2nd case, prompt diagno sis associated to an anti-infectious treatment led to recovery. The cl inician must thus be aware of the possibility of such a syndrome in re nal transplant patients. Identification and treatment of the underlyin g infection is mandatory to avoid a fatal outcome.