Bacteria-associated hemophagocytic syndrome in childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia: report of two cases.

Two children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia presenting with cellulitis and sepsis are described. Both presented as having hemophagocytic syndrome with the manifestations of prolonged fever, jaundice, pancytopenia, coagulopathy and histiocytic proliferation with hemophagocytosis in their bone marrows. It is similar to the virus-associated hemophagocytic syndrome (VAHS), except for the absences of lymphadenopathy, skin rash and hepatosplenomegaly. Concomitant virus infections were excluded in these two cases. Both patients' conditions improved after appropriate antibiotics and intravenous immunoglobulin therapy. The prognosis seemed better in bacteria-associated hemophagocytic syndrome (BAHS) than in VAHS even in immunocompromised patients.