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Paediatric visceral leishmaniasis in Italy: a 'One Health' approach is needed

Vincenzo Lorusso, Filipe Dantas-Torres, Francesco Caprio

    Parasites & Vectors
    |May 1, 2013
    PubMed

    Insights

    A paediatric case initially suspected as acute lymphoblastic leukaemia was diagnosed as visceral leishmaniasis caused by Leishmania infantum infection. This highlights the importance of a One Health approach for diagnosing this zoonotic disease in infants.

    Area of Science:

    • Infectious Diseases
    • Paediatric Medicine
    • Parasitology

    Background:

    • Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) is a serious zoonotic disease caused by Leishmania parasites.
    • VL can present with non-specific symptoms, mimicking other severe conditions.
    • The Mediterranean region is an endemic area for Leishmania infantum.

    Observation:

    • An infant presented with clinical and haematological findings suggestive of acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL).
    • The infant had travelled to and lived in the Mediterranean region.
    • Diagnostic workup revealed Leishmania infantum infection.

    Findings:

    • The patient was successfully treated for visceral leishmaniasis.
    • The case underscores the diagnostic challenge of VL in paediatric patients.
    • Leukemia-like presentation can mask VL.

    Implications:

    • A 'One Health' approach is crucial for diagnosing zoonotic diseases like VL.
    • Visceral leishmaniasis should be considered in the differential diagnosis of leukaemia-like syndromes in infants.
    • Early diagnosis and treatment of VL are essential for favourable outcomes in children.

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