Fulminant Hemophagocytic Lymphohistiocytosis Secondary to Miliary Tuberculosis: A Fatal Case Report

Harjap Singh* and Jasjit Singh

Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) is a hyper-inflammatory syndrome driven by uncontrolled immune activation. Although Epstein–Barr virus is the prototypical infectious trigger, disseminated tuberculosis (TB) is an increasingly recognised cause, especially in endemic regions. We describe a 49-year-old woman who presented with miliary TB complicated by secondary HLH and rapidly progressive multiorgan dysfunction. Despite prompt anti-tubercular therapy (ATT) and HLH-directed immunosuppression, she died within 48 hours of intensive-care admission. The case underlines the need for early marrow evaluation and simultaneous initiation of ATT and HLH-specific therapy when TB-HLH is suspected.

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Published on: Aug 14, 2025 Pages: 13-14

Full Text PDF Full Text HTML DOI: 10.17352/ahcrr.000051
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