RESUMEN
Pulmonary alveolar proteinosis (PAP) is characterized by intra-alveolar accumulation of lipoproteinaceous material. The severe chronic pulmonary disease and susceptibility to pulmonary infection is a prominent feature of the disease. We reported a case of postnatal-onset PAP and chronic interstitial pneumonitis in a girl with chronic respiratory distress since she was 5 months of age. A lung biopsy confirmed the diagnosis. The therapeutic bronchoalveolar lavages, a short trial of granulocyte colony-stimulation factor (G-CSF) and a combination of low dose methylprednisolone and hydroxychloroquine were used at different times without noting satisfactory improvement. Intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) and pulse methylprednisolone were given monthly with gradual recovery. She did not require oxygen supplement after 21 months of this combination. Our report suggested that IVIG and pulse methylprednisolone might have a potential role in the treatment of PAP with chronic interstitial pneumonitis.
RESUMEN
Fifty-two pediatric patients were diagnosed with secondary hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) at the Department of Pediatrics, Siriraj Hospital between 1989 and 1998. Of these, 15 were infection-associated (IAHS), 25 were malignancy-associated (MAHS) and 12 were idiopathic HLH. Causative organisms for IAHS were Salmonella (3), Staphylococcus (2), enterobactor (2), dengue virus (3), malaria (2) and one each of Ebstein Barr virus (EBV), Serratia marcesens and Penicillium maneffei. Unlike those reported in adults and in the Western literature, 47 of 52 children in the present series were immunocompetent hosts. In addition, the proportion of MAHS was higher than expected (48.1%). Twenty-two of 25 MAHS presented with hemophagocytic syndrome and were subsequently found to have malignant diseases. Sixty per cent of MAHS (15 cases) were associated with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL), mainly T-cell. Other malignancies included acute leukemias (7) MDS (1), Langerhans cell histiocytosis (1) and histiocytic sarcoma (1). Treatment approaches were specific therapy for individuals with known causes. Supportive treatment with blood components transfusions, steroid, intravenous immunoglobulins (IVIG), and chemotherapeutic agents, mainly vinblastine and etoposides, were used in indicated cases. Of the 52 cases, 15 (28.8%) had a fatal outcome during the acute phase, and other 4 died of their subsequent malignant diseases. There was a statistically significant association between poorer prognosis and patients' age < 3 years (p= 0.004) or MAHS (p=0.005). Conclusion: Secondary HLH is not uncommon in Thai children who are immunocompetent. Malignancies, particulary NHL, are highly suspicious especially for cases not responsive to conventional therapy. Poor prognostic factors are age less than 3 years and MAHS.