Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41703482›Full record

SynthesisBMC infectious diseases2026

Clinical spectrum and laboratory correlates of concurrent hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis and toxoplasmosis: a systematic review.

Arshia Shahini, Zahra Hashemi Javan, Reza Ghasemikhah

Abstract readSystematic Review
In one paragraph

Synthesis in BMC infectious diseases, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 2 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
2citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

2 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Article
  2. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

3 authors.

Arshia ShahiniInfectious Diseases Research Center (IDRC), Arak University of Medical Sciences, Arak, Iran.
Zahra Hashemi JavanDepartment of Medical Laboratory Sciences, Faculty of Paramedical Sciences, Islamic Azad University of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran.
Reza GhasemikhahInfectious Diseases Research Center (IDRC), Arak University of Medical Sciences, Arak, Iran. ghasemikhah@gmail.com.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-9677-7484

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundConcurrent hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) and toxoplasmosis represent a rare but clinically significant overlap, posing diagnostic and therapeutic challenges. A comprehensive understanding of their combined clinical and laboratory features is essential for improving patient outcomes.

objectiveThis systematic review aims to characterize the clinical presentations and laboratory findings of patients diagnosed with simultaneous HLH and toxoplasmosis, based on published case reports.

methodsA comprehensive literature search was conducted across the PubMed, Web of Science, ScienceDirect, and Google Scholar databases up to June 2025. We included case reports and series describing patients simultaneously affected by HLH and toxoplasmosis, adhering strictly to predefined inclusion criteria to ensure relevance and quality.

resultsFrom 13 eligible studies, 13 case reports involving 14 patients were analyzed. The majority (79%) were male, with ages ranging from 26 to 58 years. Diagnostic approaches incorporated a combination of biochemical blood tests aligned with HLH criteria, bone marrow examinations, serological assays, and molecular techniques such as polymerase chain reaction (PCR). These investigations underscored significant laboratory correlates that aid in confirming the dual diagnosis.

conclusionRecognizing toxoplasmosis as a potential trigger or coexisting infection in HLH is vital due to its intertwined immunopathology. The cytokine release induced by toxoplasmosis can precipitate or exacerbate HLH, particularly in immunocompromised individuals, leading to a spectrum of clinical manifestations. Enhanced awareness among clinicians and laboratory professionals is essential to facilitate timely diagnosis and tailored management, ultimately improving patient outcomes.

Indexed as

Lymphohistiocytosis, HemophagocyticToxoplasmosisAdultFemaleHumansMaleMiddle AgedCytokine stormHemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosisHemophagocytic syndromeToxoplasma gondiiToxoplasmosis

Identifiers

PMID41703482
PMCPMC13015061

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY-NC-ND
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.