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Spleen nodules: a potential hallmark of Visceral Leishmaniasis in young children

Fraia Melchionda1, Stefania Varani2,3, Filomena Carfagnini4

  • 1Pediatric Hematology and Oncology Unit St. Orsola-Malpighi Hospital University of Bologna, Via Massarenti 11, Bldg 13, Bologna, 40138, Italy. fraia.melchionda@aosp.bo.it.

BMC Infectious Diseases
|December 16, 2014
PubMed

Insights

Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) in infants can be challenging to diagnose. Spleen nodules on ultrasound may indicate Leishmania infantum infection, aiding early detection in children.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric infectious diseases
  • Parasitology
  • Medical imaging

Background:

  • Visceral leishmaniasis (VL), caused by Leishmania infantum, is a severe disease in the Mediterranean basin, posing significant health risks.
  • Infantile VL symptoms range from sudden onset fever and vomiting to insidious fever, anorexia, and splenomegaly.
  • Delayed diagnosis of VL is common, necessitating greater clinical awareness in endemic European regions.

Observation:

  • Four young children in northern Italy presented with persistent fever of unknown origin.
  • Diagnosis of VL was confirmed using serological and molecular methods.
  • An unusual echographic pattern of multiple iso-hypoechoic nodules associated with splenomegaly was observed in these patients.

Findings:

  • The study identified a distinct echographic pattern in infants diagnosed with VL.
  • Multiple iso-hypoechoic spleen nodules were a consistent finding in the pediatric VL cases.
  • This imaging finding was associated with confirmed Leishmania infantum infection.

Implications:

  • Detection of spleen nodules may serve as a diagnostic signature for VL in infants.
  • This finding can aid in the early diagnosis of systemic Leishmania infantum infection in children.
  • Increased awareness of this sonographic finding can improve VL diagnosis and management in endemic areas.
Abstract

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