[Haemophagocytic syndrome secondary to Mediterranean spotted fever].

INTRODUCTION: Haemophagocytic syndrome (HS) is a rare disease with a severe prognosis that is defined by clinical, laboratory and histopathological criteria. Infections represent the classical cause of HS. HS secondary to Mediterranean spotted fever (MSF) is rare with only a few cases being reported in the literature.

OBSERVATIONS: We report two cases of HS secondary to MSF in 2 men aged 77 and 63 years presenting a febrile maculo-purpuric eruption with inoculation ulcer associated with laboratory abnormalities (cytopenia, elevated ferritin, hypertriglyceridaemia). Haemophagocytosis was present in 2 cases. Serology and PCR for Rickettsia conorii were positive and militated in favour of recent infection responsible for the diagnosis of MSF.

DISCUSSION: The first case of HS was described in 1979. Sixteen cases of HS secondary to MSF are described in the literature. Cytopenia associated with hyperferritinaemia and hypertriglyceridaemia strongly suggests MSF complicated by HS. The prognosis depends on the time elapsed since diagnosis and host-specific factors. Immunosuppressants and antibiotics may be necessary to ensure healing.

CONCLUSION: Rickettsioses can induce HS, and this potential complication with a severe prognosis must be known.