A case of severe visceral leishmaniasis resulting from travel to Greece

Visceral leishmaniasis is rare in the developed world, particularly in immunocompetent hosts. It must be considered, however, in patients who are unwell, febrile and unresponsive to conventional antibiotics with a history of travel to areas where leishmaniasis is endemic. A case of more severe clinical manifestations than have been previously reported in Australia is presented here. The recent introduction of PCR technology for the detection of Leishmania in Australia has improved the diagnosis and management of leishmaniasis. Treatment with liposomal amphotericin B proved to be very effective in this severe case of visceral leishmaniasis.