Successful treatment of herpes simplex virus associated hemophagocytic syndrome coexisting with ARDS with intravenous immunoglobulin in acute myeloid leukemia patient

Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) is a rare clinical syndrome characterized by excessive macrophage function. The diagnosis of HLH in adults is challenging because initial signs and symptoms of HLH mimic common infections. Herein is described a case of HSV infection causing virus-associated hemophagocytic syndrome (VAHS) with severe hemodynamic distress. This patient manifested acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), which responded well to intravenous immunoglobulin. Patients with herpes simplex virus-associated hemophagocytic syndrome coexisting with ARDS may be given a trial of immune globulin. However, there are few reported cases of AML occurring with VAHS in the literature, which were successfully treated with IVIG; therefore, this finding requires further investigation in a similar setting