A haemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH)-like picture following breastmilk transmitted cytomegalovirus infection in a preterm infant

Abstract

Due to septic illness, neutro- and thrombocytopenia, blocked myelopoiesis, CMV-positive breast milk and CMV-pp65 antigen in bone marrow mononuclear cells, CMV-related HLH was presumed in a breast fed neonate (gestational age 24 weeks). Treatment was successful with foscarnet and methylprednisolone. HLH may be a complication of post-natal CMV-infection acquired from breast milk.