# Secondary Hemophagocytic Lymphocytosis in Inflammatory Bowel Disease

## TL;DR

This paper reports a rare case of hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis in an inflammatory bowel disease patient without a concurrent viral infection.

## Contribution

The novelty is presenting a case of HLH linked to thiopurine use in IBD without EBV infection.

## Key findings

- HLH occurred in a patient treated with azathioprine for IBD.
- No concurrent Epstein–Barr virus infection was present in this case.

## Abstract

Background and Clinical Significance: Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) is a rare and life-threatening condition that can go underdiagnosed due to overlapping features with severe infections. While the use of thiopurine in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) has been associated with HLH, the majority of these patients will have a concurrent Epstein–Barr virus (EBV) infection. Case Presentation: This report presents a case of HLH in a patient previously treated with aza-thioprine for IBD without concurrent viral infection.