Blood cell phagocytosis syndrome

Dr. Duong Ba Truc (National Hospital of Pediatrics)

Blood cell phagocytosis is a phenomenon in which macrophages in the phagocytic bone marrow of blood cells (red blood cells, white blood cells, platelets). This abnormal phenomenon may occur in some diseases of the lymphoid organ - the tissue (the body is immune to the body) or the hematopoietic organ. If blood cell phagocytosis occurs at a severe level, it can cause leukopenia, thrombocytopenia, anemia, and even a reduction in hematopoietic cells in the bone marrow.

Blood cell phagocytosis syndrome in addition to blood cell phagocytosis as above, there are other manifestations such as prolonged high fever, hepatosplenomegaly, peripheral blood cell reduction, liver failure, marrow failure and abnormalities in Biochemical tests such as serum triglyceride and serum ferritin.

The key mechanism for the above manifestations is the available abnormalities of the immune system, so when there are strong effects (for example, infected with EBV (Epstain-Barr) virus - a cancer-causing virus or Causing lymphoma, the chain of immune reactions occurs strongly to an uncontrollable level of the body, it is the overreaction of the cells that has immunity and too much release (like the cascade). of intermediate reactants from leukocytes that cause manifestations of liver failure, myelosuppression . and severe consequences afterwards.

Take bone marrow - a stage of the transplant process.(Photo: health.yahoo.com)

In addition, there are other causes such as severe infections, allergies, cancer . These causes act as a 'trigger' for later reactions.

Thus, myelogenous phagocytosis syndrome occurs when there are 'triggers' causes based on the body having a defect in the immune system.

In our country, there are no statistics on the rate of children with this syndrome. Previous observations show that every year, there are some pediatric patients with signs of reduced blood cells, hepatosplenomegaly, prolonged high fever, jaundice . and all have a poor prognosis. From September 2006 to March 2007, at the National Hospital of Pediatrics, more than 10 cases of deaths were reported with prolonged high fever, hepatosplenomegaly, hepatic failure, myelosuppression, and hypotension. blood cells cause anemia, bleeding or infection.

The diagnosis is very difficult because it requires the use of modern techniques. Moreover, the treatment of these patients also requires high levels of bone marrow transplantation and liver transplantation. However, in patients without genetic factors, the disease can be cured by active drug treatment aimed at inhibiting immune organs with drugs such as viblastin, cyclosporine, corticos teroid, etc. follow a strict regimen. In addition, supportive treatment is very important: such as adjusting water and electrolytes, fighting infections, preventing liver failure, transmitting blood products.

Early detection of this syndrome, prior to the manifestations of liver failure and myelosuppression, is an important factor contributing to saving lives. Therefore, in cases of children with high fever continuously, lasting for more than a few weeks without a clear cause, it is necessary to pay attention to the above syndrome in order to timely send to the hospital with conditions for timely detection and treatment.