Human herpesvirus-6 associated hemophagocytic syndrome in beta-thalassemia: report of one case.

An 8-month-old male infant with severe anemia and thrombocytopenia was brought to our hospital due to fever and pallor. The physical examination on admission showed pale conjunctivae, skin rash, lymphadenopathy and hepatosplenomegaly. Subsequent laboratory studies showed pancytopenia, impaired liver function, elevated lactate dehydrogenase level but without evidence of disseminated intravascular coagulation. Bone marrow aspiration demonstrated increased macrophages and prominent hemophagocytosis. The serological studies revealed a recent infection of human herpesvirus-6 which was confirmed by blood mononuclear cell culture and polymerase chain reaction. This infant was also found to have beta-thalassemia which was confirmed by hemoglobin electrophoresis performed before first transfusion. After treatment with intravenous immunoglobulin and other supportive therapies, the bone marrow abnormalities has completely recovered after 5 days, and the hemogram improved. This report demonstrates the human herpesvirus-6 as the etiology of hemophagocytic syndrome.