A case report of macrophage activation syndrome of infectious origin in the clinical haematology department of the Ignace Deen University Hospital, Conakry, Guinea Rapport de cas de syndrome d'activation des macrophages d'origine infectieuse au service d'hématologie clinique de l'hôpital universitaire Ignace Deen, Conakry, Guinée

Abstract

Background: Macrophage activation syndrome (MAS) is a rare but often fatal condition. It is linked to inappropriate stimulation of macrophages leading to abnormal phagocytosis of the formed elements of the blood and the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines. The aim of this study is to report a case of MAS of infective origin, and call the attention of medical practitioners to this potential life-threatening condition.
Case presentation: This was a 45-year-old male patient, admitted on account of febrile pancytopenia (anaemia, leukopaenia and thrombocytopaenia) of chronic course. No particularly significant past medical history of the patient. Clinical and paraclinical examinations showed that the MAS was due to tuberculosis                                            Conclusion: MAS is a life-threatening condition often associated with infections such as tuberculosis as described in this case.