Ashwini R. Nargund

Chediak Higashi Syndrome (CHS) is a rare autosomal recessive disease, characterized by partial oculocutaneous albinism, frequent pyogenic infections, and the presence of abnormal large granules in leukocytes and other granule containing cells. The abnormal granules are readily seen in blood and marrow granulocytes. About 50% to 85% of patients eventually enter an accelerated phase, manifested by fever, lymphadenopathy, anemia, jaundice, neutropenia, thrombocytopenia, and widespread lymphohistiocytic organ infiltrates. The first accelerated phase of CHS may occur shortly after birth or several years later. Most patients undergo a variable period of recurrent infections before going into the accelerated phase. Therefore, primary presentation in the accelerated phase is unusual. This case was referred to our institution that is a tertiary care cancer centre, with a clinical diagnosis of lymphoma/leukemia. Hence this interesting case of CHS in accelerated phase at presentation is described. The child had 1-month history of fever, bilateral neck swellings, and loss of appetite. On the basis of the clinical presentation, hematologic, and histopathologic findings, a diagnosis of accelerated phase of CHS was made. The child was treated with antipyretics, antibiotics, and stem cell transplantation was suggested to him. When the child presents to a hospital with oculocutaneous albinism and recurrent infections, careful examination of the peripheral blood smear by an experienced morphologist cannot be overemphasized. A high degree of awareness and early recognition of the syndrome, could lead to the institution of the only possible curative treatment, bone marrow transplant, before the accelerated phase supervenes.