Abstract
The new coronavirus infection COVID-19 has quickly become a global health emergency.
Mortality is principally due to severe Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS) which
relays only on supportive treatment. Numerous pathological, clinical and laboratory findings
rise the similarity between moderate to severe COVID-19 and haemophagocytic
lymphohistiocytosis (HLH). Etoposide-based protocol including dexametasone is the standard
of care for secondary HLH. The protocol has been successfully used in HLHs that are secondary
to EBV and H1N1 infections by inducing complete response and pronged survival. These
observations prompt to consider this cytotoxic therapy in HLH associated to moderately severe
to severe forms of COVID-19.
Key words: COVID-19; Haemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis; HLH; Etoposide