[Case report: the efficacy of amphotericin B in visceral leishmaniasis]

Leishmaniasis is a zoonotic disease which may be difficult to diagnose in children. Successful results have been achieved with amphotericin B in treatment. Here, we present a 7 month old girl who lives in Istanbul. She was given a diagnosis of kala-azar and treated with liposomal amphotericin B. Our case, born in Istanbul, had had fatigue for 3 weeks and pallor and abdominal distention for 2 days. History of travel was absent. In physical examination, paleness, malaise and hepatosplenomegaly were found. In laboratory findings there was pancytopenia and her albumin level was low. A peripheric smear and other laboratory findings were normal. Her first bone marrow aspiration was normal. Because of persistent fever and increase in hepatosplenomegaly, a second bone marrow aspiration was done on the tenth day after admission and Leismania amastigotes were seen. She was given a diagnosis of kala-azar and, clinical and microbiological responses were achieved by treatment with amphotericin B. In our country, visceral leishmaniasis should be considered in all age groups who live in western regions and have no history of travel and contact, that present with pancytopenia or bicytopenia, even if massive splenomegaly is absent.