Gastric and Peritoneal Involvement of Human Herpes Virus 8 Related Kaposi Sarcoma in a Patient with Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome

Kaposi's sarcoma (KS) is one of the most frequent neoplastic diseases in patients infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). The authors report the case of a 40-year-old male with ascites, peripheral edema and peritoneal carcinomatosis secondary to a gastric KS related to human herpes virus type 8 (HHV-8). The patient had severe immunodeficiency, with a TCD4+ count of 86 cells/µl and newly diagnosed acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. His clinical condition rapidly deteriorated, with multiorgan failure, and he died without the possibility of initiating antiretroviral therapy or chemotherapy. To the authors’ knowledge, carcinomatosis is a rare feature in KS.

Haemophagocytic Syndrome in a 19-Year-Old Male with Plasmodium falciparum Malaria

Objectives: Infectious agents triggering haemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) primarily involve the herpes virus group. We report a case of HLH precipitated by Plasmodium falciparum. Materials and methods: Clinical and laboratory findings in a patient presenting with fever were collected. After confirmation of acute malaria, anti-malarial treatment was administered. Results: Despite initial favourable evolution, the patient developed fever again together with a worsening of the haematological parameters and increased ferritin levels. A bone marrow biopsy confirmed the diagnosis of HLH. Conclusion: This case illustrates that HLH should be considered in the differential diagnosis of acute malaria in patients with persisting fever and pancytopenia.